GMB Union has welcomed the long-anticipated deal for Balaena - the company behind Gibraltar’s Gibdock - to acquire the major UK shipbuilding and repair company APCL has been agreed.
Matt Roberts, GMB National Officer and President of the Confederation of Shipbuilding & Engineering Unions (CSEU), said:
“This deal gives certainty after months of speculation and allows our members and the yards at Cammell Laird, A&P Falmouth and A&P Tyne to move forward together.
“GMB has been clear our members want a solution that kept the three yards together as a strong and complimentary group, so we welcome this deal. There is great capability and delivery across these yards.
“We look forward to working with the new owners to ensure we continue to grow UK sovereign capability and increase local jobs and apprenticeships in Merseyside, west Cornwall, and on Tyneside.
“GMB continue to demand an end to the inexcusable sending of British shipbuilding and repair work overseas.
“The Labour Government must fully make good on this change, and ensure all domestic work goes to the UK shipyards, including these yards now owned by Balaena.”
