HEADS MUST ROLL OVER CAL MAC ‘KICK IN THE TEETH’ SAYS MACASKILL

  

“DIRECT AWARD” OF ALL SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT FERRIES TO FERGUSSON’S NOW ESSENTIAL

ALBA Depute Leader Kenny MacAskill MP has slammed the betrayal of the workforce at Fergusson Marine over the decision to award the contract for the Islay ferries to overseas contractors.

Mr MacAskill whose biography of Jimmy Reid, who led the UCS work in on the Upper Clyde, documents his political journey from Communist, to Labour to SNP said:

“As per Jimmy Reid’s majestic rectoral address: ‘The untapped resources of the North Sea are as nothing compared to the untapped resources of our people.’  I agree but you’ve got to give them the work. Jimmy would be appalled that the SNP that he had joined would sit on their hands and fail to direct CMAL to award ferry contracts to Ferguson’s.

“This is a disgraceful decision, a betrayal and a real ‘kick in the teeth’ to the workers at Ferguson’s.  Orders should be going to Ferguson’s to keep the yard in business and the people employed.  Instead what we see is hundreds of thousands of pounds in exorbitant fees to highly paid executives enriching themselves while the workers face an uncertain future.

“The Chair and Board of CMAL must go and the Minister should consider his position.  There must be a clear commitment from the Scottish Government that they will directly award all future CalMac Ferry orders to Ferguson’s Shipyard in Port Glasgow.  Otherwise you have to ask what is the point of the SNP being in government if they will not act to defend the Scottish working class when their jobs, communities and livelihoods are under threat.”

ENDS