Harland & Wolff key to national defence

Unite highlighted this week why the UK must have a strong future in shipbuilding and must protect the legacy of shipbuilding in Belfast, which dates back over a century. The union’s comments come as Harland & Wolff is ‘reworking’ an application for government support for its shipyard in Belfast.

The company is seeking a government guarantee on new borrowing, which it will need to cover investment in new work after being part of a consortium that won a major contract in 2022 to build three Royal Navy support ships.

The shipyard, which boasts a natural deep-water harbour and heavy lifting cranes and infrastructure faced closure in 2019 but was saved following a nine-week occupation by the workforce.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “It is of strategic importance that these workers continue to contribute their skills to our national defence. Our members have demonstrated their ability to win and deliver national strategic shipbuilding projects. Unite will do whatever it takes to defend our members and the shipbuilding sector.”

Harland & Wolff has recently succeeded in winning high-profile contracts including the £1.6bn contract for the Royal Navy Fleet Solid Support ships meaning the return of shipbuilding to Belfast after decades of absence. In the past five years, employment has expanded by 900 per cent to more than 645 in Belfast, including 45 apprentices.

Regional secretary of Unite in Northern Ireland Susan Fitzgerald added, “This historic Belfast shipyard is critical the future of shipbuilding and to the future of Northern Ireland.”

By Donal O’Cofaigh