Hundreds to take the streets to demonstrate over proposed closure
of Anglesey Aluminium
18th September 2009
WHEN: 12pm, Saturday, 19th September 2009
WHERE: Holyhead Town Hall, Newry Street, LL65
Hundreds of Unite members, along with people from across
Anglesey will hold a demonstration tomorrow (Saturday, 19th
September) against the proposed closure of the Anglesey Aluminium
smelting plant by Rio Tinto.
Demonstrators will carry placards demanding Rio Tinto ‘put
people before profit’ to show their anger and disappointment over
its decision to close Anglesey Aluminium, one of the largest
employers in North Wales.
Anglesey Aluminium, jointly owned by Rio Tinto Alcan (51 per
cent) and Kaiser Aluminium (49 per cent), was unwilling to commit
to the long term future of the plant therefore condemning the 500
highly skilled workers. This decision has deeply affected the lives
of families associated to the smelter and will kill-off Holyhead
and its surrounding communities.
Unite found it astonishing that Anglesey Aluminium has refused
to accept a rescue package of £48 million, given by the national
government and the Welsh Assembly government, which would’ve seen
the site remain open for at least another two years.
The site is currently continuing its smelting operations and is
extremely busy in meeting customer demands. However, Unite believes
it is in essence squeezing every last drop of aluminium prior to
the closure which will be on the 30th September.
Unite national officer for metals, Terry Pye, said: “This is a
disgraceful decision by Rio Tinto. We believe the only reason for
the closure is one of greed. We have been angered further by the
plant's refusal to accept a rescue package which would’ve kept the
site open for a further two years.”
Unite regional officer, Graham Rogers, said: “This
is a clear case of a multinational company putting profit before
people. This rally will demonstrate the strength of feeling the
community has towards this closure. Hundreds of families’
livelihoods hang in the balance and we will not give up on them
without a fight.”
The speakers on the day will be:
- Cllr. John Chorlton - mayor of Holyhead
- Gwilym Owen - senior steward
- Ieuan Wyn Jones - deputy first minister WAG
- Terry Pye - Unite National Officer
- Albert Owen - Ynys Mon Labour MP
- Andy Richards - Unite regional secretary
ENDS
For further information contact Graham Rogers on 07903 937720 or
Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or
07980 224761.
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