SHIPYARD workers in Glasgow deserve a face-to-face meeting with the First Minister to explain his vision of their future, according to a former Defence Secretary.

John Reid, former Lanarkshire MP and now Lord Reid, met young shipyard workers in Glasgow to campaign for a No vote.

The young workers have written a letter to Alex Salmond asking him for a meeting to discuss the future of their industry in the event of independence and the UK deciding not to awards contracts to yards outside the UK.

Mr Reid, who joined the campaign visibly as it entered its last week, said he wanted Mr Salmond to come to the Clyde, "look the workers in the eye" and tell them their jobs were safe.

The former Scottish Secretary said the future of the shipbuilding industry was at risk because it relied on MoD orders.

He said: "In a few days' time we have got probably the most crucial decision in our history.

"Scotland has among the most talented and committed workers in the world. We understand the importance of being part of a bigger unit. It helps create and maintain the workforce for the benefit of the people."

"A No vote is a vote for more jobs for safer jobs and for better jobs.

"In the shipbuilding industry among the people who have come here there has been one notable exception. The First Minister.

"He will not come here and look the workers in the eye. What would you say to a used car salesman who can't look you in the eye? A No vote is one to protect jobs can create more jobs."

The former cabinet mini-ster met young workers from the BAE yards in Govan and Scotstoun, who were speaking in a personal capacity and not on behalf of their employer.

Paul Sweeney, 25, a shipbuilding operations worker, said: " We want to express our own views We have received no informa-tion or plans in the event of a Yes vote. That is why we have written a letter.

"A Yes vote is loaded with uncertainty. Anyone who cares about this industry should vote No."

The letter signed by 20 young shipyard workers states: "The assertion made that current Scottish ship-building capacity could be sustained in the absence of UK naval contracts by diversifying into comm-ercial alternatives is considered by us to be extraordinarily simplistic and fanciful in its assess-ment of the commercial market.

"Despite our concerns, you have refused to meet us, or our colleagues, to discuss these concerns. You are proposing independence for Scotland and it is you who should be prepared to meet with us to discuss our concerns about our jobs."

Mr Reid was joined by Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont and deputy Anas Sarwar to say independence will cost jobs.

Ms Lamont said: "For Alex Salmond these jobs are a price worth paying for his ambition. He is blinded to the consequences for other people. He has not come to speak to workers in this proud industry when these people are saying these jobs are at risk."

Ms Lamont said he should come and tell people what the future holds in an independent Scotland for the shipbuilding industry.

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk