United_Digital1_8:Activist issue 7 12/06/2009 13:24 Page 11
united digital march for jobs
11
for jobs
We asked members why they had joined
Unite’s March for jobs
jobs. In the current climate it’s dire out Been there too
there. Things are bad at Dagenham – there Birmingham branch retired member Ron
are layoffs, and the plant’s saving grace is the said he was, “here to support the workers, to
Fiesta engines we make. They can’t seem to support jobs.”
get enough of these, but all other engine
work is on down time. Workers are Joyce added, “We went through this in the
worried.” 1970s – we’re back today to support workers
– they need the jobs. I used to work in Jaguar,
Equal work rights call then Rover, so we’ve seen all the changes.”
Anwar Shah shop steward, IBC vehicles
Luton said, “I’m here because I’m worried One retired member added, “We’re here
about our jobs – especially with the because if the jobs start going down, so will
situation regarding GM.” the pensions. We’re all here to fight for the
same thing.”
Gary, a convenor for IBC vehicles added,
“We’re purely here to ensure we have equal Steely resolve
employment rights across Europe and to Eugene Davies from Corus Teesside, said
Daisley chain – Ray with Joshua and Jacob
lobby the government to support “I’m here today to try to save our jobs. The
manufacturing and other industries government needs to do what the European
across UK.” governments are doing and subsidise us
along the way.”
Colleague John said, “We are marching to
ensure they keep our plant open” while Russ Morgan wants the government to
shop steward Mustaf agreed. “We’re subsidise steel. “We need to make Corus a
supporting the rally to make sure our jobs viable concern on the outside market,
stay.” subsidise the business rate, VAT, anything like
that.” Words from the wise – Birmingham retired members
Change course now
Ann Saxton, a former social worker from Wife Jo Morgan joined the march “because
Bury said, “I think the recession is hitting there are 3,000 families on Teesside affected
everybody very, very hard, and unless the by this and a proper business subsidy is
government changes course I don’t think cheaper for the government than putting all
things will get better for a long time. these families on benefits.”
Wake up call Invest or nothing left
Dave Dutton, is a Unite West Midlands Meanwhile Carol Starr, a Nottingham City
NEC member. “I’m here to try and convince Council care worker told us, “We’re
Steeling a march – Russ and Jo Morgan
the government that it has to intervene. I currently facing 400 redundancies. It’s about
can’t understand the reluctance of this time the government invested in public
government when the CBI is making the services instead of cutting back, or there’ll be
same plea. They need to do something to nothing left for future.”
wake up and subsidise short time work –
insolvent businesses won’t be able to pick Granddaughter Kacey said, “I’m here to
up and recover and it will be too late. support my Nan.”
Ron Doe and Peter Singh, Ford Dagenham Determined – Vauxhall IBC Luton reps Carol and Kasey Starr
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39