Cammell Laird boss warns strike action could damage business for Birkenhead shipyard

May 20 2010 Liverpool Echo

Cammell Laird boss

CAMMELL Laird boss John Syvret warned that any unofficial strike action at the yard could damage future business.

Mr Syvret, chief executive of the Birkenhead shipyard, who was meeting trade union representatives today for further talks about 180 possible redundancies, said he was shocked and disappointed by the workers’ walkout earlier this week.

He said that the nature of Lairds’ work meant that they take on staff when business expands and have to reduce it at other times.

The current problems have arisen because the Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship Fort George’s scheduled eight month refit has been postponed for the long term.

But he insisted the company had gone far beyond any legal obligation to help contracted employees who are laid off by the cancellation of a major contract.

He said this included a 25% enhancement for those people taking voluntary redundancy payments.

Mr Syvret said: “I am pretty shocked and disappointed by the events of the last few days. I try and commit to local people for our workforce to drive our business forward.

“It’s not usual for contracting businesses to do this or commit to the apprenticeship schemes as we do.

“I am really disappointed by this illegal, knee-jerk action. It’s not good for the international business world to see this after all the groundwork we’ve put in to build up the business.

“It will only damage potential future business for Cammell Laird.”