Menu
06/08/2019
UK PM Urged To 'Step In' To Save Harland And Wolff
The UK's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged to step in to save the Harland and Wolff shipyard or risk betraying Northern Ireland workers.
Unite the Union made the call as the Belfast shipyard is due to enter administration today, Tuesday 06 August. Unite called on the UK government to put Harland and Wolff into the hands of the official receiver and underwrite the firm in a similar arrangement to that undertaken with British Steel.
Unite believes such a move would enable the shipyard to continue operating as a going concern, sign contracts for on-going work and give confidence to customers, suppliers and contractors to commit already allocated work to the shipyard, including a refit contract worth over £22 million with Terranova.
Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Steve Turner said: "Boris Johnson is on the verge of betraying Northern Ireland workers, their families and communities reliant on skilled, well paid jobs in addition to a proud heritage of shipbuilding, maintenance and repair at Harland and Wolff.
"Standing back and allowing the shipyard to fall into administration to be picked over for scrap value by vultures looking to make a quick buck is in nobody's interest. As time runs out, Boris Johnson must step in, put Harland and Wolff into the hands of the official receiver and underwrite day-to-day running costs in the same way that successfully happened with British Steel.
"This will give a loyal customer base the confidence to place orders and the company the ability to sign contracts which it currently doesn't have. We know work is in the pipeline and a secure future can be provided to the yard until a responsible buyer is found avoiding the devastation of closure and forcing skilled workers onto the dole.
"Staving off administration is not just in the economic and social interest of Northern Ireland, but in the strategic defence interests of the UK. Harland and Wolff has the largest dry dock in the UK and the only one big enough to fit our new Royal Navy aircraft carriers when they need to come in for maintenance and repairs.
"Additionally, the shipyard works with BAE on the Dreadnought submarine programme, has an important part to play in the building of the Royal Navy's new Type 31e Frigates and is central to the UK consortium's bid to build the navy's fleet solid support ships.
"There is no reason why Harland and Wolff cannot have a bright future. All this proud workforce needs is a temporary boost from government and a commitment from UK ministers that they will back UK shipbuilding by block building the new fleet solid support ships in yards across the UK."
(MH/CM)
Unite the Union made the call as the Belfast shipyard is due to enter administration today, Tuesday 06 August. Unite called on the UK government to put Harland and Wolff into the hands of the official receiver and underwrite the firm in a similar arrangement to that undertaken with British Steel.
Unite believes such a move would enable the shipyard to continue operating as a going concern, sign contracts for on-going work and give confidence to customers, suppliers and contractors to commit already allocated work to the shipyard, including a refit contract worth over £22 million with Terranova.
Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Steve Turner said: "Boris Johnson is on the verge of betraying Northern Ireland workers, their families and communities reliant on skilled, well paid jobs in addition to a proud heritage of shipbuilding, maintenance and repair at Harland and Wolff.
"Standing back and allowing the shipyard to fall into administration to be picked over for scrap value by vultures looking to make a quick buck is in nobody's interest. As time runs out, Boris Johnson must step in, put Harland and Wolff into the hands of the official receiver and underwrite day-to-day running costs in the same way that successfully happened with British Steel.
"This will give a loyal customer base the confidence to place orders and the company the ability to sign contracts which it currently doesn't have. We know work is in the pipeline and a secure future can be provided to the yard until a responsible buyer is found avoiding the devastation of closure and forcing skilled workers onto the dole.
"Staving off administration is not just in the economic and social interest of Northern Ireland, but in the strategic defence interests of the UK. Harland and Wolff has the largest dry dock in the UK and the only one big enough to fit our new Royal Navy aircraft carriers when they need to come in for maintenance and repairs.
"Additionally, the shipyard works with BAE on the Dreadnought submarine programme, has an important part to play in the building of the Royal Navy's new Type 31e Frigates and is central to the UK consortium's bid to build the navy's fleet solid support ships.
"There is no reason why Harland and Wolff cannot have a bright future. All this proud workforce needs is a temporary boost from government and a commitment from UK ministers that they will back UK shipbuilding by block building the new fleet solid support ships in yards across the UK."
(MH/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
19 January 2023
Harland & Wolff Belfast To Create 900 New Shipyard Jobs
Harland & Wolff Belfast are to create 900 new shipyard jobs to support the delivery of new Royal Navy ships. Team Resolute, a Harland & Wolff consortium with BMT and Navantia UK, has been awarded a £1.6 billion contract to manufacture the vessels providing munitions, stores and provisions to Royal Navy ships.
Harland & Wolff Belfast To Create 900 New Shipyard Jobs
Harland & Wolff Belfast are to create 900 new shipyard jobs to support the delivery of new Royal Navy ships. Team Resolute, a Harland & Wolff consortium with BMT and Navantia UK, has been awarded a £1.6 billion contract to manufacture the vessels providing munitions, stores and provisions to Royal Navy ships.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
11 October 2013
£5.7m Regeneration Funding Announced
£5.7m in National Lottery Funding is to go towards two projects to regenerate the former Harland and Wolff Headquarters Building and Drawing Offices in Belfast and the Northern Counties Club building in L'Derry. The investment is part of a UK-wide funding package worth £12m to regenerate five historic buildings back to commercial use.
£5.7m Regeneration Funding Announced
£5.7m in National Lottery Funding is to go towards two projects to regenerate the former Harland and Wolff Headquarters Building and Drawing Offices in Belfast and the Northern Counties Club building in L'Derry. The investment is part of a UK-wide funding package worth £12m to regenerate five historic buildings back to commercial use.
09 August 2019
Extra Week To Explore Bids For H&W
The administrators in control of the iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard have allowed another week to find a buyer. Several potential bidders are believed to have expressed interest in the under-threat shipyard, BDO Northern Ireland has said.
Extra Week To Explore Bids For H&W
The administrators in control of the iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard have allowed another week to find a buyer. Several potential bidders are believed to have expressed interest in the under-threat shipyard, BDO Northern Ireland has said.
15 November 2024
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
Winter Vaccines: Get Boosted To Protect Yourself
The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging eligible individuals in Northern Ireland to get their annual flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. The agency highlights the significant benefits of vaccination in reducing severe illness and death, especially for those at high risk.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
