Labour can do more for working people says Unite poll
12th May 2009
Ahead of Unite's March for Jobs in Birmingham this Saturday (May
16th), where thousands are expected to attend, a snap poll of 2,500
Unite members reveals that 87 per cent believe the government must
do more to keep people in work during the recession, and 86 per
cent support a government fund to help skilled workers stay in
their jobs.
The poll of Unite members sends a strong message to Labour that
the party can do more to win the support of working families. The
poll conducted across the country by email showed that workers from
finance, IT, transport, and not just the manufacturing sector,
support a government fund.
The nationwide march and rally is being organised by Unite on
May 16th. It is the centrepiece of the Unite for Jobs campaign.
Unite is pressing for measures such as a short-time subsidy which
would allow people to stay in their jobs and keep their homes.
The poll also revealed that 68 per cent of the respondents knew
someone who had recently lost their job because of the recession,
and 77 per cent were worried about the security of their own
jobs.
When asked if the respondents believed that the super rich and
tax avoiders should pay more towards helping the country back on
its feet, 90 per cent of the respondents agreed.
Unite's joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said: “Working
people need more support during this recession and thousands will
make their voices heard on Saturday in Birmingham. Labour must
continue to position itself as the party for jobs and social
justice. The Tories represent swingeing cuts in vital public
services and economic mismanagement.
“There is not a family in the land untouched by the global
recession. That's why thousands will gather in Birmingham on
Saturday to demand clear and urgent action to defend jobs. If
taxpayers' money can be used to bail out the banks, then it must
also be used to keep our vital industries alive. It makes more
sense to keep people at work than to let them languish on the
dole.”
Thousands of people will be uniting at 11am at Highfield Rd,
Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15, on May 16th. Unite says the march is to
defend local communities and safeguard the jobs and futures of
generations to come.
The poll was sent out to 24,000 Unite members across the UK, the
union received 2,500 responses.. To see what the Unite for Jobs
demands are or for information on the march visit: http://action.unitetheunion.org
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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