V&A project could offer hope to redundant Muirfield Contracts staff
STV
16 March 2015 18:14 GMT
Muirfield Contracts in Dundee has lodged an intention to appoint administrators putting 250 jobs under threat. Pic from Google Street Map, uploaded on March 11 2015. Alternatives: A meeting will be held to see if other firms can offer work.
Dundee's V&A museum project could offer hope to around 260 construction staff who were made redundant last week, according to an MP.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern says he believes the huge waterfront project could absorb workers from collapsed construction firm Muirfield Contracts.
It is understood that BAM Construction, which is carrying out the m V&A Dundee project, will attend a Scottish Government partnership action for continuing employment (PACE) meeting on Tuesday.
The event is being staged at Dundee College to support staff from Dundee-based Muirfield Contracts.
Administrators Campbell Dallas confirmed on Friday that the majority of staff and a further 110 labour-only subcontractors would lose their jobs.
Mr McGovern met with the administrators on Monday.
He said: "If we're talking about looking at the largest construction project that we have seen in 50 years in Dundee, surely we can accommodate 250 experienced, good tradesmen here in Dundee?
"I would look for the company that has won that contract, BAM, to look into that.
"The situation at Muirfield is extremely sad news as they formed such a notable part of Dundee’s construction industry, and my priority, along with Campbell Dallas, remains to be ensuring that employees and apprentices are able to find alternative and secure employment and training in Dundee.
"At a time when the city is undergoing significant regeneration with different construction projects beginning to get underway, most notably the V&A, it would be disgraceful for so many workers to face uncertain futures for any length of time.
"That is why I am pleased that the construction industry, including BAM, have rallied around and will be attending a jobs fair to meet with Muirfield workers."
George Ramsay, Tayside and Fife regional organiser for trade union UCATT, said that many staff were still in shock over the sudden collapse.
"A lot of these guys are still upset," he said.
"It's been a total shock to them. They have worked with this company, a lot of them, for over ten years and to come out of the blue like this, it's an upsetting experience, but there's still hope."
Muirfield Contracts had been engaged in around 20 contracts in recent months and had a turnover of around m.
It recently completed high profile projects such as the refurbishment of the McManus Gallery and Angus Council's headquarters.
It is also midway through a major renovation of DC Thomson's corporate headquarters at Meadowside.
Mr McGovern has called for the circumstances surrounding its collapse to be closely scrutinised.
He added: "I have spoken to the administrators today and I have mentioned the name of the person who apparently bought the company and there seems to be a paper trail there of failed companies.
"I think that has to be scrutinised very, very closely."
Work on the V&A museum of design began earlier this month and the main building is due to be completed by the end of 2017.