A task force is to be created aimed at securing the future of shipbuilding in Fife.
The organiser of the GMB in Scotland, Gary Cook, says that establishing a cross-political coalition will be crucial in ensuring that construction of new vessels can continue at Rosyth following completion of two Royal Navy aircraft carriers.
David Ross, the leader of Fife Council, has already committed to working with the union in a bid to secure future contracts, with calls having been made for the yard to benefit from forthcoming contract awards for new Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships.
Mr Cook said that securing work beyond the end of the decade was imperative for the local economy.
“Rosyth makes a massive economic and employment contribution to Fife and to the wider Scottish economy,” he said.
“These are highly skilled and high value manufacturing jobs that sustain workers, families and communities and we cannot do without them.
“That’s why GMB Scotland has been so vocal on the importance of defence contracts to Scotland.
“The forthcoming RFA contracts provide an opportunity help secure Rosyth’s long term future.
“We believe the best way to achieve this is to replicate the Aircraft Carrier Alliance work share programme to secure the RFA work for UK shipyards, with Rosyth primed to benefit.
“GMB Scotland is now driving cross-party political and employer discussions to build the strongest coalition possible in support of this objective.”
Earlier this month the MoD announced that it intends to close its Caledonia base at Rosyth by 2022 as part of its latest defence spending review.
The closure will coincide with the completion of HMS Prince of Wales, the second of the two aircraft carriers under construction in Rosyth, and will end the Navy’s historic association with Fife.
Though the closure is not directly linked with shipbuilding in the region, council leader David Ross said that he had been approached by the GMB, “with a view to mounting a joint campaign to secure future work,” and said that he will be discussing this further with unions.
Meanwhile, local MP Douglas Chapman added: “We need to see a sustainable future and naval order book for Rosyth.
“The construction of the aircraft carriers has proved that there is a fantastic workforce at Rosyth and their commitment, skill and professionalism should be rewarded by the UK government through the announcement of further naval contracts.”
A spokesperson for Babcock, which owns the Rosyth Dockyard, said: “Our commercial facility in Rosyth operates within specialist markets, delivering projects across a range of sectors including defence and offshore energy.”
