Defence And Manufacturing Job Fears

Firms call on the Scottish Government to reveal what will happen in an independent Scotland.

A meeting will be held in Edinburgh this morning to look at the consequences of independence on both industries.

Bae Systems, Babcock, Rolls Royce, Selex and Thales will meet with the Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael.

Jim Moohan, Chairman of the Confederation of Shipbuilding & Engineering Unions in Scotland and GMB Scotland Senior Organiser, said:

"There is ever growing concern by the employees in these five major companies over the uncertainty beyond the Referendum date of 18th September 2014.  The lack of positive and substantial answers from the Scottish Government over the past

"12 months shall have a fracturing and destabilising effect on the future job security and support required for continuity of an established infrastructure if any of the five major players decide to withdraw their operations. 

"Answers are imperative. In September on job retention, skill preservation and investment from a UK perspective in a sector that is heavily dependent on present and future UK MOD orders. 

A similar approach has been made to the Scottish Government requesting answers in the near future to help the CSEU's members make an informed judgement of what it could mean to their industry and their jobs come September 18."