Unite welcomes bus-build motion for Alexander Dennis
24th February 2010
Unite, Scotland’s largest union, has welcomed a Scottish
parliamentary motion calling for the introduction of a new
generation of environmentally and user-friendly buses in Scotland
which could help save production at Scotland’s last bus
manufacturer, Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) in Falkirk.
The motion (S3M-05781 - Scrap and build for better buses made in
Scotland) tabled by Labour MSP Charlie Gordon, calls for Scottish
government intervention to help fund grants for the purchase of ADL
buses by transport authorities and commercial bus operators.
The Falkirk plant employs 900 highly skilled local workers who
are currently working a three-day week to stave off the impact of
the recession on the industry. Accessibility and emissions
standards mean bus operators will inevitably have to purchase new
stock but the plant desperately needs new orders now if it is to
survive.
Unite regional industrial organiser, Scott Foley, said: “For
months now a three-day week has been in place to offset the
industry shortfall, but the current situation cannot be sustained
by our workers and their families for much longer.
“The Falkirk plant is ready to manufacture the next generation
of environmentally and user-friendly vehicles with ADL’s ‘hybrid’
bus technology. This bus will represent a benchmark in the industry
and fulfil the accessibility and environmental regulations
operators will have to comply with - it’s an agonising situation
for the workers.
“Thousands of people in the local community, not to mention many
small businesses across Scotland in the supply chain, depend on
ADL. Scotland simply cannot afford to lose this plant.”
Unite fully welcomes Charlie Gordon’s motion calling for urgent
intervention to start filling order books at ADL now. Unite wants
to see:
- Fresh orders for a new generation of Scottish bus build;
- World-class bus manufacturing at ADL in Falkirk;
- Quality Scottish jobs and skills for future generations;
and
- The provision of world-class transport for the Scottish
public.
ENDS
For further information please contact Scott Foley on 07810
157915 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020 7420
8914 or 07980 224761.
