True North
Saving the Shipyard
S13 • E19 Oct 2, 2020 30m
With its yellow cranes framing the Belfast skyline, Harland and Wolff is one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic companies. Famous for building the ill-fated Titanic, the legendary yard dominated global shipbuilding during the twentieth century and at its height employed more than 30,000 people. But like much of the UK’s shipbuilding industry, Harland and Wolff suffered a steady decline in recent years.
In the summer of 2019, it entered administration - appearing to spell the end of the company after almost 160 years. While many lamented the end of an era, the workers were convinced it still had a future and seized control of the shipyard. Their plan? To buy enough time for a new buyer to be found – or pressure the government into re-nationalising it.
Saving the Shipyard captures the dramatic events of last year as they unfolded, with intimate access to the workers, union reps, administrators and bosses at the heart of the struggle.
In the summer of 2019, it entered administration - appearing to spell the end of the company after almost 160 years. While many lamented the end of an era, the workers were convinced it still had a future and seized control of the shipyard. Their plan? To buy enough time for a new buyer to be found – or pressure the government into re-nationalising it.
Saving the Shipyard captures the dramatic events of last year as they unfolded, with intimate access to the workers, union reps, administrators and bosses at the heart of the struggle.