Update on Harland & Wolff (Methil) Limited

RNS Number : 2974P

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings PLC

17 June 2022

 

17 June 2022

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc

("Harland & Wolff" or the "Company")

Update on Harland & Wolff (Methil) Limited

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc (AIM: HARL), the UK quoted company focused on strategic infrastructure projects and physical asset lifecycle management, provides an update on labour relations at Harland & Wolff (Methil) Limited (Methil).

The Company has not yet recognised any trade union at the Methil facility. The Company has made it abundantly clear that it seeks to recognise trade unions and enter into negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement with the workforce, similar to the successful agreement that the Company reached with the trade unions in Harland & Wolff (Belfast) Limited.

Despite the Company stating its position in no uncertain terms, the local representatives of GMB and Unite have unilaterally decided to call a wildcat strike of the workforce in Methil this morning. The Company has sought legal advice and determined that due process has not been followed and, therefore, this strike action is illegal.

The Company remains committed to recognising trade unions and to maintain excellent labour relations. To that extent, it will continue discussions with the local trade union representatives in order to reach a mutually agreed position and commence negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement as quickly as possible. For the avoidance of doubt, wages of the local workforce have been paid on time and will continue to be paid in line with their respective employment contracts.

Harland & Wolff, group CEO John Wood, commented:

"It is most unfortunate that the local representatives of the trade unions have taken this sort of strike action unilaterally. This kind of militant action does not help any party - the Company, the workforce or the client. As a Group that operates across the UK, we believe that trade unions should be recognised and collective bargaining agreements should be negotiated in good faith. However, there is a process to be followed and illegal, unjustified strike action achieves very little except for bringing the Company, the workforce and the wider economy into disrepute and causing unnecessary uncertainties. The Company is engaged in constructive dialogue at all levels with the trade unions and will seek to reach mutual agreement as quickly as possible ."

For further information, please visit  www.harland-wolff.com  or contact:

Harland & Wolff Group Holdings plc John Wood, Chief Executive Officer Seena Shah, Head of Marketing & Communications	[phone] [e-mail]   [e-mail]
Cenkos Securities plc (Nominated Adviser & Broker) Stephen Keys / Callum Davidson / Dan Hodkinson (Corporate Finance) Michael Johnson (Sales)	[phone]

About Harland & Wolff

Harland & Wolff is a multisite fabrication company, operating in the maritime and offshore industry through five markets: commercial, cruise and ferry, defence, energy and renewables and six services: technical services, fabrication and construction, decommissioning, repair and maintenance, in-service support and conversion.

Its Belfast yard is one of Europe's largest heavy engineering facilities, with deep water access, two of Europe's largest drydocks, ample quayside and vast fabrication halls. As a result of the acquisition of Harland & Wolff (Appledore) in August 2020, the company has been able to capitalise on opportunities at both ends of the ship-repair and shipbuilding markets where there will be significant demand.

In February 2021, the company acquired the assets of two Scottish-based yards along the east and west coasts. Now known as Harland & Wolff (Methil) and Harland & Wolff (Arnish), these facilities will focus on fabrication work within the renewables, energy and defence sectors.

In addition to Harland & Wolff, it owns the Islandmagee gas storage project, which is expected to provide 25% of the UK's natural gas storage capacity and to benefit the Northern Irish economy as a whole when completed.

 

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