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We need jobs and futures, Heathrow workers tell Tories

28 January 2009

Unite the union, the biggest union in UK civil aviation, is urging MPs to vote for workers' jobs and futures by backing the modernisation of Heathrow airport. Unite's call comes ahead of today's (Wednesday) Tory Opposition Day debate in the Commons, which the union says will be used to undermine this month's decision by the government to press ahead with the third runway at Heathrow airport. Workers from Heathrow and airports across the UK have been contacting MPs to impress upon them the importance of the third runway to the entire UK aviation sector.

Steve Turner, Unite national secretary for civil aviation, said: "Our members, the workers at Heathrow and their families, are angry that the Tories are playing point-scoring games with their futures.

"What the hundreds of thousands of workers employed in the UK civil aviation industry need to know is that our political parties are grown up enough to recognise that aviation is a strategically vital industry. This means getting behind the industry to ensure it can operate in the most environmentally efficient way, that it can develop to provide the services business and passengers want, and that it can keep thousands of people in employment. "

Brian Boyd, Unite national officer for civil aviation, added: "Unite is not oblivious to the issues concerning the environment or the displacement of individuals. We have always acknowledged opposition, and continue to approach this important issue in a practical manner.

"However, the Tories are adopting a position of hypocrisy. Added to this, the proposals from the London Mayor in relation to the creation of Boris Island sited somewhere in the Thames are complete nonsense. His own party are quietly distancing themselves from him."

ENDS

Unite's representatives will be meeting with MPs ahead of the present, and available for interview at on the pavement area opposite Carriage Gates, directly in front of the Parliament Square grass area (where the permanent demonstration is) from 10.30am until 11.30am on Wednesday, January 28th.

For further information contact Mark di-Toro, unite press office, on 079186 40579