Shipyard Workers Protest Over Job Fears

Workers at Harland and Wolff have locked the gates of the under-threat shipyard amid fears of its closure.

Shipyard staff took control of the facility on Monday and erected banners bearing the "Save our Shipyard" slogan to the main gates and one of the iconic yellow cranes.

As 130 jobs hang in the balance, trade unionists are calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and nationalise the company after its Norwegian owners put it up for sale.

The business faces closure on Wednesday in the absence of a new buyer. A rally in support of the workers will take place today, Tuesday 30 July, at the main Dee Street gate.

Regional Secretary of the Unite union, Jackie Pollock, expressed full support for the shipyard worker's determination to defend not only their jobs, but Northern Ireland's skillbase into the future: "Harland and Wolff's greatest asset is its workers, and this evening they feel they have no other way to highlight the imminent threat to the yard and to Northern Ireland's skillbase but to remain here. Unite fully supports our members in their decision."

As Boris Johnson prepares to visit Belfast for the first time as Prime Minister, workers at Harland and Wolff have extended an invitation for him to make the shipyard his first port of call.

Jackie Pollock continued: "Not only will he be greeted with traditional Northern Irish hospitality, but the workers would welcome an opportunity to show him the facility, explain the role it could still play in British shipbuilding, and outline immediate business prospects. It should not be forgotten that only three years ago Harland and Wolff supported approximately 2,500 jobs directly, and thousands more indirectly.

"Neither local management, nor the yard's owners, nor the British Government have so far been prepared to take control of the situation and ensure that Harland and Wolff does not end up liquidated and sold off, bit by bit, to the highest bidder. This evening workers are making preparations to spend the night in the yard, and are steadfast in their determination to save their jobs and Northern Ireland's skillbase," Jackie Pollock concluded.

The workers have remained outside the Harland & Wolff gates overnight, where they will continue to protest until a solution is found to save their jobs.



(JG/CM)