Unite at the Labour Conference 2009: action on jobs and the
economy needed to show voters Labour is on its side
25 September 2009
At this year's Labour Party conference in Brighton, Unite, the
UK's biggest union, will be pressing Labour to use the time in the
run up to next year's election to implement policies which protect
jobs, save skills and restore public confidence in the finance
sector.
With the recession still claiming the jobs and homes of working
people, yet banks still not lending to businesses, Unite says that
talks of economic recovery are overblown and must not distract from
the urgent need for action to rejuvenate the banking system so that
it works in the national interest and to protect strategically
vital industries such as manufacturing.
Unite will be pushing two contemporary motions for debate at
Conference. One will be on support for the beleaguered
manufacturing sector, including extension of the car scrappage
scheme, and for the UK government to match the strategic support
provided by the governments of our EU competitors. And as thousands
of finance workers continue to suffer the consequences of excess
and recklessness in the sector, with the loss of their jobs and
pensions, Unite's other contemporary motion will call for
fundamental changes to restore stability to the banking sector.
Unite says these are changes Labour must make to show voters
that it is on their side, and that the recovery when it comes will
not be fragile.
The difficulties facing workers through the recession will be
further highlighted in key Unite fringe meetings, including:
Monday, 28th September
Unite for Jobs: keeping people in work, protecting our
skills; 5.30pm, Charlotte Room, Grand Hotel.
Speakers including Lord Mandelson (tbc), Business Secretary and
Rhodri Morgan, First Minister, Welsh Assembly Government.
The role of the automotive industry in a low carbon
economy, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and Unite
reception; 7.30pm, Hilton Metropole with Ian Lucas MP, Minister for
Business and Paul Everitt, Chief Executive, SMMT
Tuesday, 29th September
Building Britain out of recession; 8am, Alexandra Rooms,
Grand Hotel.
Speakers including John Healey MP, Minister for Housing and Sir
Jeremy Beecham, Local Government Association.
Wednesday, 30th September
The feeling's mutual - the case for a diverse finance
sector; 12.45pm, Alexandra Room, Grand Hotel.
Speakers including Adrian Cole, Building Society Association and
Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Exchequer Secretary
A full list of Unite's fringe meetings can be found
here
ENDS
For further information on Unite at the Labour Party
Conference, and for all media enquiries during Conference, please
call the media team on:
Pauline Doyle, mobile: 07976 832 861
Ciaran Naidoo, mobile: 07768 931 315
Shaun Noble, mobile: 07768 693 940
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