AROUND 1,600 Scottish jobs are under threat threat at the Glasgow-based rail division of the Babcock International Group (BAB). 

Babcock International is a British-based engineering support services company.  Although it has civil contracts, its main business is with public bodies, particularly the Ministry of Defence and Network Rail. 

Babcock International’s web-site states that its rail division “is a UK focused railway infrastructure support business selected as one of only four track renewal contractors to Network Rail”.

Ironically, it is this link with Network Rail which may see the loss of so many jobs.  This is because Network Rail has deferred a third of its track renewal programme for 2009.  The cancellation of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link has also had an impact.

Around 260 jobs have already gone at BAB.  More will follow if the rail division is closed.

Babcock chief Peter Rogers said the rail operation is ‘under review’ and the board would discuss the matter before deciding what to do with it. In 2008 the rail division made a loss of £4.7m.  However, this year things have improved and it is expected to be close to break-even. 

The rest of BAB appears to be extremely healthy.  Its marine and defence divisions have performed well – so much so that Babcock recently reported a 30% rise in half-year pretax profit to £66.1m.

Pat Harrington, General Secretary of Solidarity Trade Union backed the 1,600 workers threatened with the loss of their jobs.  He said:

“If Babcock International doesn’t want the workers in its rail division, then the government should step in and help the workers out. 

It should be taken into public ownership – like banks have been.  If the government can rescue the Royal bank of Scotland it can rescue these workers.  We need to save these jobs.  We need to protect industrial workers.

It is absolute madness to throw these 1,600 workers onto the dole."

He also re-stated Solidarity’s belief that “the railways should be nationalized.  They should be completely modernized, expanded and be the envy of other countries”.