Unite urges government action to protect Vauxhall's UK factories
27th May 2009
Ahead of the German government's announcement of its preferred
bidder for GM Europe, Britain's biggest union is warning that
unless the UK government backs GM's UK plants, thousands of jobs
will be lost and the UK's manufacturing capability will be left
hamstrung.
The German government has offered billions of euros of state
loan guarantees to the bidders. So far there has been no comparable
support from the UK government.
Unite's joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said: "It's no
good providing billions to the banks but buttons for manufacturing.
Thousands of jobs are at stake at Luton and Ellesmere Port. Once
lost they won't return, our manufacturing capability and the UK's
R&D base will be left hamstrung.
"Lord Mandelson claims the government is prepared but so far
there has only been talk and no action.
"This is crunch time. It's time for the UK government to
be decisive and do everything humanly possible to protect Britain's
manufacturing base."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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