The fight to secure work for Fife’s BiFab yards has stepped up a gear with a mass protest in Edinburgh.
More than 100 workers, unionists and members of the community joined forces outside energy giant EDF’s Edinburgh offices to demand a slice of a £2 billion wind farm contract.
The demonstration followed a public meeting in Buckhaven which EDF failed to attend.
BiFab’s Ready for Renewals Campaign to be stepped up with mass rally in Edinburgh
Workers chanted “the workers united will never be defeated” outside the EDF Renewables officer with bugler Frank Proctor also taking part in the demonstration.
Dave Moxham, Scottish Trades Union Council secretary, said: “We warned EDF if you won’t come to us, we’ll come to you.”
The STUC organised the action in the hope of delivering a letter to EDF, which is about to award a contract for the Neart na Goaith (NnG) wind farm 10 miles off the Fife coast.
Unions claim it will likely go to a company in Indonesia, although EDF say a final decision has yet to be made.
The protesters arrived to find the Morrison Street offices locked but stormed round to the back door where the letter was handed in before it was also locked.
Unite Scottish Secretary Pat Rafferty said: “There is quite clearly a lot of anger in the community.
Workers have delivered a letter to @EDF_Renewables only to have the doors locked in their face. It’s time for EDF to do what’s right for the community and the planet and common sense – build the cases in Fife #ReadyForRenewal pic.twitter.com/3Fy6LxP5sb
— STUC (@ScottishTUC) July 5, 2019
“It would be an absolute scandal if a multi billion pound contract for a wind farm off the Fife coast went to a company in Indonesia only to be shipped back in diesel-fuelled boats.
“We’re hopeful some work will come to BiFab because if we can’t nail this and get some work into these yards we’ll lose this industry.”
It is understood high-level talks between the unions, EDF and the Scottish and UK governments is continuing.
An EDF Renewables spokeswoman said: “We recognise the right of people to express their views and we understand that the NnG project is seen as critical to securing more work for the BiFab yards.
“However, the issue is far bigger than our project alone and we are working with a range of bodies including industry groups, trades unions and the Scottish and UK Governments to develop a long term plan for BiFab.”
