The Unite union has claimed a decision over the building of a new Mersey Ferry is a "complete betrayal" of local workers.
This morning the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority made a major announcement that a new Mersey Ferry would be built for the first time in 60 years.
The announcement from the CA said it was "expected that the state-of-the-art new vessel will be constructed at the historic Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, supporting jobs, apprenticeships and development opportunities for the region." The release said that Cammell Laird would work with Dutch naval engineering firm Damen on the project, which would also see one of the existing vessels upgraded.
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However Unite said it has learned that Cammell Laird will only undertake the work to upgrade the existing vessel and some final work on the new ship. The union said the Wirral shipyard would have been able to undertake the full work, which it said would have secured 120 jobs for the 12-18 month work period.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and the region's six city leaders insist they have "tried at every turn to ensure that we use the powers we do have to squeeze as much local value" for the local economy out of the project, but said they understand the union's frustrations regarding the government's "restrictive procurement laws."
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a complete betrayal of a local and highly skilled workforce, it defies belief that a new Mersey ferry won’t be built on the river the ship will serve. This is a wholesale failure of the government’s procurement policy, which continues to undermine strategic British industries and threatens jobs and skills.”
Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said : “Workers at Cammell Laird are today angry and frustrated. Once again they are being forced to pick up the scraps. They clearly understand the value of employing people to recycle the investment in the community where the ferry will operate and taxpayers money has come from as opposed to sending up to £15 million abroad."
"The workers want the government to explain how they can let this happen at a time when we’re told every penny is a prisoner.”
In a response to the union's comments, a statement from Liverpool City Region Mayor and the leaders of the region's six local authorities said: "There has been a ferry between Liverpool and the Wirral since at least the 12th century and this announcement ensures that this proud tradition will continue for decades to come.
"As city region leaders we have tried at every turn to ensure that we use the powers we do have to squeeze as much local value, investment and opportunity as possible for the city region economy when we procure major infrastructure projects, in line with our Social Value Framework.
"We understand Unite's frustrations with the government's restrictive procurement laws which constrain the way public bodies are able to tender for projects such as the Mersey Ferries and other large scale infrastructure investments. Especially given the government’s promises about procurement during the Brexit referendum.
"As public servants, we have a duty to ensure that we spend taxpayers’ money in a way that delivers the best possible outcomes for local businesses, residents and communities alike, and that is why we have worked hard with Cammell Laird and the relevant unions to get to this point.
"The contract being discussed here is one between the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Cammell Laird. It is for the shipbuilder to decide how and where it subcontracts out work. We are explicitly restricted by legislation from specifying that 100% of any works have to be built in any specific locality. Instead, these conversations are a matter for unions and management to resolve through their own discussions.
"The reality of the situation is that, as a Combined Authority, we are legally bound to comply with the laws of the land. It is not within our power to override or break procurement law and dictate how businesses should proceed with the contracts awarded. To do so would leave us open to potential legal action, the costs of which would need to be borne by the public purse.
"The current boats are older than the Gerry Marsden song that made them famous. It is good news today that the proud legacy of the ferry cross the Mersey has not only been preserved for generations to come but made fit for the future with this brand new, greener lower emissions vessel."
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