CRUCIAL talks are under way aimed at preserving the future of engineering firm BiFab.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – who returned early from a UN climate change conference in order to help resolve the issue – and Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse are in discussion with offshore contractor Seaway Heavy Lifting (SHL).
Burntisland Fabrications, also known as BiFab, are in dispute with SHL, as well as Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), over unpaid bills. The GMB and Unite unions say that SHL have reneged on a payment for an already completed wind farm, part of a project involving SSE.
READ MORE: Catholic Church asks First Minister for 'dialogue' on abortion pill plans
SHL insists BiFab has been paid on time for the work carried out.
The dispute has caused BiFab cash flow problems which could lead to the business going into administration.
BiFab has a combined workforce of 1400 contractors and subcontractors on their sites in Methil in Fife and Arnish on the Isle of Lewis, and hundreds held a demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament in one of the biggest of its kind in Scotland for a number of years.
Many employees have continued working at the yards without pay.
Yesterday morning Economy Secretary Keith Brown said ministers had a “laser-like focus” on achieving a successful resolution and that “very serious progress” was being made.
He said that discussions had been taking place every day this week, since it was reported that BiFab were on the verge of calling in administrators.
“The most important thing we can do, which I think has been constructive so far, is to get the parties round the table,” said Brown.
“The parties weren’t speaking, there wasn’t the prospect of a resolution. We now have very serious progress being made towards a resolution and that’s with the active involvement of the Scottish Government.”
BiFab makes equipment for the oil and gas industry and the renewable energy sector, and unpaid staff are continuing to work in the hope that the dispute will be resolved.
“There’s one particular payment which has not been paid and the two different parties to that payment – on the one hand BiFab on the other hand Seaway Heavy Lifting – have different views on the nature of that payment and when it should be made,” continued Brown.
“We’ve brought the parties round the table on a number of occasions this week, and we’ll be doing it again today with the active involvement of the First Minister, who’s come back early to make sure that she is involved in this process.”
An SSE spokesman said: “SSE continues to engage closely with BiFab’s management, SHL, the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to find a sustainable solution for the company.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel