Workers carrying out improvements at Broughty Ferry Station have been told they will be paid despite the collapse of construction firm Carillion.
The company was one of six main contractors for Network Rail – which owns and operates Britain’s railway infrastructure – and had been brought in to carry out the project.
Employees were left unsure whether they would be paid for their time after the construction giant went into liquidation last month, leaving tens of thousands of jobs at risk.
Union bosses have held crisis talks with employees, with Unite officer Stevie Dillon urging the transport minister Humza Yousaf and Scottish Government “to make their intentions clear”.
Broughty Ferry councillor Craig Duncan revealed he has been given assurances by managers at Network Rail after insisting workers should be paid “in full and on time”.
The rail firm said it had reached an agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – special managers in Carillion’s liquidation process – for them to pay employees’ wages for work done on and supporting Network Rail’s projects until after Easter.
Mr Duncan said: “I understand that funding has also been secured to ensure that any suppliers to Carillion will be paid by PwC in respect of work relating to Network Rail projects since January 15 and going forward.
“As a result, I am very hopeful that there will be no significant delays to the works at Broughty Ferry.”
During the project, a 90m section of platform was raised and rebuilt as part of a programme of improvements along the East Coast main line.
The initiative is one of 10 being delivered across the Highland and East Coast main lines as part of a Department for Transport-funded upgrade to enable the introduction of Virgin East Coast’s new Azuma trains.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said it has received assurances from Network Rail that contingency plans are in place for the completion of work on all projects where Carillion have been involved.
He added: “We stand ready to provide support through our Partnership Action for Continuing Employment (PACE) initiative and continue to work closely with Skills Development Scotland and the Construction Industry Training Board to support affected apprentices
“Anyone worried about their job or their wages due to the Carillion insolvency can call the Scottish Enterprise support line on 0300 013 3385.”
