Louise Gilmour, Scotland secretary of the GMB union, said ministers had failed to deliver new contracts while sending work around the world.
“Fergusons was once Scotland’s ferry factory with a worldwide reputation for excellence and should be again,” she said.
“Instead, skilled and experienced shipbuilders are being encouraged to leave as those in charge send contracts everywhere but here.”
She said the “hubris and incompetence” of those in charge of Scotland’s ferry network had “failed a blameless workforce that deserves the chance to turn the page”.
On the delays in delivering the new contracts she commented: “Shipbuilders needs ships to build so where are those promised to Ferguson Marine? If they ever come, who will build them?”
SNP backbencher Stuart MacMillan, who is the local MSP, said it was a “wake up call” for management but he also called on the Scottish government to speed up the promised new orders.
“My challenge to the Scottish government is to expedite the direct award process with the Competition and Markets Authority,” he said.
Local Labour MP Martin McCluskey said the news was “deeply concerning” and part of a “jobs crisis” in Inverclyde which has lost 1,500 jobs in recent years.
“The Scottish government needs to step up, move faster and do everything within its power to secure the future of Ferguson Marine and the skilled jobs that depend on it,” he said.
