Call for talks over risk to jobs at BAE (From Daily Echo)

Call for talks over risk to jobs at BAE in Portsmouth

9:59am Monday 23rd January 2012 in Shipping

Call for talks over risk to jobs at BAE

UNIONS last night demanded an urgent meeting with BAE bosses over thousands of Hampshire jobs put at risk by a closure threat to Portsmouth dockyard.

The Hampshire-based defence giant is reportedly considering closing the historic naval dockyard in a move that would threaten up to 3,000 jobs. It has hired consultants to review its warship business.

Ian Waddell, national officer of Unite, the union, said the news was “deeply unsettling”.

He said: “It is not just the jobs of 3,000 at stake here, but also those of thousands more locally who depend on the shipyard.

“BAE must meet with the unions as a matter of urgency to discuss all solutions for saving the workforce. Equally, the Government has a role to play.”

A decision on the future of the south coast base is expected within in the next three months, according to reports quoting senior industry sources, who said Portsmouth was the most likely victim of a review of the defence group’s warship business.

BAE employs about 1,500 workers at its Portsmouth yard with a further 1,500 in support roles. The city has a 500-year history of naval shipbuilding.

GMB regional organiser Gary Cook said there was only a few years’ work left at Portsmouth, with the prospect of winning orders to build merchant ships “not great” because of subsidies paid to firms in other countries, particularly the Far East. He added: “BAE is looking for naval work from other nations. There are opportunities and the UK is very well placed because we have a reputation that is second to none, with a highly skilled and motivated workforce.”

A BAE spokeswoman said: “As part of our business planning activity, we are reviewing how best to retain the capability to deliver and support complex warships in the UK in the future.”

This would be in line with its commitments, she added.

“This work is ongoing and we will keep our employees and trade union representatives fully informed, as it progresses.”