Shipbuilding unions respond to publication of
BAE's letter to Cameron
4 November 2010
Responding to the publication of the confidential letter from
Ian King, head of BAE to David Cameron, which sets out the
implication of cancelling one of the aircraft carriers, Hugh
Scullion, General Secretary of the CSEU (Confederation of
Shipbuilding and Engineering Union) said: "This letter confirms
what we already knew, the Labour Government was investing in the
retention of the shipbuilding industry in the UK by investing in
skills, jobs, communities and apprenticeships. The coalition just
want to cut with no thought for the consequences."
Responding to the comments made condeming the carrier contract
by Andrew Tyrie, Treasury Select Committee chairman, Bernie
Hamilton, Unite National officer for shipbuilding said: "Andrew
Tyrie is wrong to claim the carriers will be without planes for 10
years. As Treasury Select Committee chairman he should know better.
The new aircraft carriers will be without planes for 18 months. It
is the present aircraft carrier, HMS Illustrious that will be
without planes for 10 years. This is because the ConDems have taken
the misguided decision to scrap the current Harrier fleet.."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
