Row breaks out over Scottish steel for new Forth crossing
The new Forth crossing may not contain any steel from Scotland
A ROW has broken out over claims a Scottish steelworks may have missed out to China and Europe on a contract for the new Forth Bridge.
The Community trade union, which represents the majority of Scottish steelworkers, claimed Scottish Government agency Transport Scotland had been “disingenuous” when it said last week that no Scottish firms had bid to supply the steel for the crossing.
The union said Tata Steel’s Dalzell steelworks in Motherwell had been part of a consortium initially involved in bidding for the tender, although Transport Scotland indicated that the firm may be talking about different contracts.
Community general secretary Michael Leahy has written to Mr Salmond, calling for a halt to the project while a review of the procurement process is carried out.
Alex Salmond said he would be “glad to arrange a ministerial meeting” when questioned about the issue by Motherwell and Wishaw MSP John Pentland in Holyrood yesterday.
But Mr Leahy said last night: “The First Minister had the opportunity to tell the people of Scotland why no Scottish steel worker will benefit from the project. This is very bad news for manufacturing in Scotland.
“I call again on the First Minister to halt the decision while a review of the whole procurement process takes place.”
Pat Donnely, Community’s Scottish Executive member, said: “As a steel worker for over 40 years I am shocked and dismayed by Mr Salmond’s decision. It does not bode well for the future when our own government can turn its back on the industry.”
The bridge will include 24,500 tonnes of steel from Shanghai, 8,500 tonnes from Seville in Spain and 4,200 tonnes from Gdansk in Poland.
A spokesman for Tata said last night: “Tata Steel can confirm that it did participate indirectly in the tendering process for the Forth Bridge contracts and that its Dalzell works is capable of supplying a significant proportion of the steel required.”
Labour said if it was the case a Scottish company was involved in bidding for the steel work but was turned down, contrary to claims from the Scottish Government, then that was “a deeply concerning matter” and serious questions would need to be raised.
Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP John Park said: “Almost four years ago I warned that unless the procurement process was spot on, companies from Scotland and the rest of the UK would lose out on jobs and investment. The test for the consortium building the bridge is to ensure that Scottish workers get jobs, training and apprenticeship opportunities from this huge project.”
But a Transport Scotland spokeswoman said: “The reality is that Scottish firms simply did not bid for the fabrication of steel for the Forth Replacement Crossing. The award of recent steel supply contracts for the FRC was for structural steelwork fabricators and not the manufacture of raw steel.
“It is the responsibility of the structural steelwork fabricators to source the steel required from the raw steel makers that meets the contract specifications. No Scottish structural steelwork fabricators bid for the work.
“Transport Minister Keith Brown will, of course, be happy to meet with the chief executive of Tata to discuss the issue.”
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Comments
There are 54 comments to this article
Page 1 of 4
ali2011
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:17 PM39 Are you serious. You speak about manipulation when your Labour corrupt party did not a thing to stop the tories desroying all industrilal activities in Scotland. Your a fake man who have not the guts to stand up to your so called country. Shame on you you fake.
ali2011
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:06 PMScottish supporters of the SNP should just stop commenting on this extremelyy biased paper. Why not like me join in reading a newspaper which is fair in reporting all political news. This is the Glascow Hearald which as given me a new insight into what fair journalism is instead of the extremely biased of a paper like the Scotsman is. The Scotsman said at the last election did say to vote for the SNP. Is this not the hypotocrital utteranances would we expect from a Labour supporting paper when labour had no chance whatsoever winning any election.
Vote 'NO'
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 09:33 PM49. It was all bull. It's wot he does. He criticised Brown for his British jobs for British workers sentiments, only to state he'd do likewise. Unfortunately with everything El Presidente speaks on, he falls short far short. More MacMince.
VOTE YES
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:35 AMSince the company in question didn't actally tender a bid for the supply of steel, it's hardly surptrising they didn't get an order. another Brit nat rant.
Ancient Wisdom
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 09:07 AMWouldn't have needed (much) steel at all, or foreign contractors, had we settled for a causeway rather than bridge. This vanity project is to cost us all dear.
Maurice the Dolphin
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 01:24 AMWhatever happened to Wee Rotund Eck's promises of "Scottish contracts protecting Scottish jobs" then? Scottish jobs ditched for Wee Rotund One's ongoing love affair with China.
Canton-eze
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:40 AMAch - "totally" in #45 - finger too long on the buzzer, but never mind. The ghostly photo at the head of the article will remind anyone who has travelled on them of the sleek design of the bridges that link Hong Kong airport with the Kowloon peninsula.
Vote 'NO'
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:11 AMAlex Salmond, champion deceived, the Fred Goodwin of Scottish, nay British politics. Arise, to be decapitated, El Presidente!
famous15
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:07 AMAnother kid-on story to attack the SNP. It is not paranoia when they are reallly out to get you!
Canton-eze
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 12:02 AM#6 Danielrober2 - Mr Been rides again. For the umpteenth time, are you tottally and utterly incapable of knowing how to use the word "being"? Why not take time out from your weird and freaky SNP- and Salmond-bashing and attend a class in basic English before posting daily negative guff in baby language?
Bon Accord
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:13 PMLabour can't say a damn thing, especially when it's considered that when in power they almost brought commercial shipbuilding in Scotland to its knees when they placed the orders for 3 Calmac ferries, a Fisheries Protection vessel and a lighthouse tender all to a yard in POLAND! So much for safeguarding Scottish industry!
Mark Bishop
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:50 PMIf Scots firms cannot even be bothered to tender, or Tata cannot produce the correct steel, then where else are they going to get it? If Scotland cannot match up to the requirements, I can't see any point in complaining that the job was not locally awarded. It's the *poor little me gis a job* syndrome again. Got to lose that mind set if we have any chance at all of making any money and getting this country back on track. However, Dear Alex should really not shrug his shoulders and sit back on this one. Unless of course he only has his own self interests at heart.
Neil Waugh
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:33 PM#40.....Here are four little words that a Scottish politician ignores at hisher peril...."Jimmy Reid" and "Ravenscraig"...(OK that's only three but you get where I'm coming from.)....If you ignore them you write off the West of Scotland....And if you alienate Glasgow your referendum dreams are hooped......So far Alex Salmond has broken this iron rule - even though it's all about steel...Still time to fix the mess...Best get on it pronto.
The Harder They Come
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:41 PM35. Utter mince as usual, you really need to raise your game, your playing with yer dangly bits on show.
Demon Dinner Lady
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:18 PM39 Neil Waugh. People voted for the SNP as they believe in Scotland becoming an independent country. This is a fact and is the principle on how they govern. The principle of independence should override any concern for economics or jobs. Scotland's right to self determination is paramount no matter what. Simple!
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