The Scottish Government-owned shipyard, Ferguson Marine, located on the Clyde at Port Glasgow, has announced plans to cut nearly a quarter of its workforce.
Workers at the nationalised shipyard in late 2019 have been invited to apply for voluntary redundancies, as the Clydeside yard says formal consultations have opened.
Currently the company employs 283 staff, among them 34 apprentices, and the shipyard says it expects to cut up to at least 70 of its employees through the voluntary process.
Commenting on the development, Louise Gilmour, GMB Union Scotland secretary, said, “Shipbuilders need ships to build, so where are those promised to Ferguson Marine? If they ever come, who will build them?
She added, “Fergusons was once Scotland’s ferry factory with a worldwide reputation for excellence and should be again.”
The news comes as construction on the long-delayed MV Glen Rosa is due to be completed by the end of the year.
An announcement in March for a four-ship contract awaits confirmation from the Scottish government, which is citing that "due diligence" is still underway.
STV News reports more on the jobs cut that will be a blow to Clydeside.
