Unite, the UK’s leading union, which represents thousands of UK shipworkers, has welcomed the government’s announcement that the contract to build new dry docks at the Faslane naval base, will be restricted to UK bids only.

Project Euston

The contract known as Project Euston is required to ensure that the next generation of the UK’s submarines can be fully maintained and refurbished in highly complex dry docks.

Unite has been lobbying the government to ensure that bidding for the work was restricted to UK shipyards after concerns were raised that the contract might be opened up to foreign shipyards and the work might be taken abroad,

Good news for shipyard workers

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The government has listened to Unite on Programme Euston and that is good news for shipyard workers in Scotland, and England and Northern Ireland.

“It is vital that the decision on the Faslane dry docks is not a one off.

“Over the coming weeks and months we need to see more major defence contracts awarded to UK based firms, including Skynet satellites and a new tranche of Typhoons.

“This should be obvious. It protects jobs and skills and boosts the entire UK economy.”

Unite has been lobbying the government to ensure that the next version of the Skynet satellite programme is built by the current provider Airbus, protecting hundreds of jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth. While it is also essential that the UK commits to purchasing new Typhoon aircraft to replace existing planes which are ageing and will protect the UK’s sovereign capability to build and maintain, fast jets.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.

Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.