Working people ask the Government: ‘Are you
listening?’
27 March 2009
Ahead of the national demonstration by working people this
Saturday (28th March 2009), calling on the G20 leaders to ‘Put
People First’, Unite members are calling on the government to
listen to the concerns of working people to support jobs and close
tax loopholes for the rich.
Unite, UK’s biggest union, conducted a snap shot poll of
members, with the majority stating they are concerned about their
job. In addition 91% of the respondents support a co-ordinated
global action to close tax loopholes.
Ahead of the G20 summit thousands of Unite members, travelling
from across the UK, are coming to London this Saturday to join the
‘March for Jobs, Justice and Climate’.
A massive 69% of respondents were worried about losing their
jobs. When respondents were asked to rate a number of issues they
were most concerned about, support for skilled manufacturing jobs
was rated the most important concern, with 30% of respondents
rating it their top priority. The need for improved redundancy
terms and concern about the impact of rising fuel prices came
second equal with 18% of respondents rating the two issues their
number two priority.
75% of respondents reported that they did not feel they knew
enough about what the government is doing to support working people
through this time of economic uncertainty. The result indicates
that the government are failing to properly communicate the
benefits of the action they have taken so far including; the
massive bail-out of the banking system which was necessary to
support working families and the wider economy, Gordon Brown's
leadership on the world economy, the cut in VAT, help for home
owners facing repossession and an increase in the top rate of
tax.
Given the importance that the respondents placed on support for
British manufacturing, action to provide significant support
through a £13bn strategic fund from the government would be met
with considerable support.
Unite's joint general Secretary, Tony Woodley. said: "Our
members from every corner of this country will convene in London to
send a clear message to world leaders that they want decent
jobs.
"Support for the UK's manufacturing base is our members' prime
concern but it's not just a UK issue, it is a global issue, many of
our key manufacturing companies are owned overseas. Supporting
skills and employment in this country supports skills and workers
in Europe and further a field."
Unite's joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said: "There can
be no going back to business as usual, the world has changed. Our
future depends on creating an economy based on the fair
distribution of wealth and that means closing the tax loopholes
that allow corporations and super rich individuals to avoid paying
their fair share of tax. Unite members support global action to
close tax loopholes.
"It is time for the leaders of the G20 to act and end the
culture of greed, which has led to the worst economic crisis of our
times."
For more information please contact: Saba Mozakka, Unite press
office on: 07768 693 953 or 020 7420 8916
For information on the participation of Unite in the ‘March for
Jobs, Justice and Climate’ please visit: www.unitetheunion.org/g20demo
The march will be addressed by Tony Woodley, Unite joint general
secretary and Leo Gerard, USW President.
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