BY ALAN JONES
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industry is one of the most important sectors in manufacturing. It’s extremely important that we have a single market with no tariffs.
“We are also campaigning for a minister for manufacturing to ensure we get the right deal that will not affect our ability to export British-built vehicles. With all the speculation regarding the withdrawal of Japanese car manufacturers from the UK, workers are understandably worried about their jobs.”
Phil Entwhistle, Unite’s EC member for aerospace and shipbuilding, represents workers in some of the country’s biggest and most important companies, including BAE Systems, GKN and Rolls-Royce, and says there is widespread uncertainty and concerns about the future.
“Triggering Article 50 will be suicidal without knowing if we have a single trading agreement,” he said, adding that it was just as important to press the prime minister to keep employment rights, often
established thanks to being in the EU, including maternity and paternity leave and limits on working hours. Phil believes the impact of the referendum result hasn’t started to hit industry yet, and his view is borne out by a raft of surveys and economic data showing continued record employment and job vacancies.
But confidence has been hit and some firms have taken a step back from making any investment or expansion plans until the impact of Brexit becomes clearer.
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey, believes that uncertainty is the greatest threat to industries. In a foreword to Unite’s document on Brexit, he writes, “Nobody knows how long Brexit negotiations will take or what the outcome will be. One thing is certain – Unite will defend our members and campaign for policies to protect jobs, pay and conditions.”
Unite’s analysis is that having access rather than membership of the Single
13 uniteWORKS Autumn 2016
Nobody knows how long Brexit negotiations will take. One thing is certain – Unite will defend our members and campaign for policies to protect jobs, pay and conditions
Len McCluskey Unite general secretary
View Brexit on our terms HERE
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Market would ensure manufacturers can avoid tariffs and maintain vital supply chains to Europe.
Countries are hardly rushing to form a queue to draw up new trade agreements with the UK, despite the pre-referendum pledge by the Leave campaign that it would be business as usual outside the EU.
The prime minister has announced she will introduce a ‘Great Repeal Bill’ into Parliament which would annul the 1972 Communities Act – which made provision for the UK’s membership of the European Union – to clear the way for a split from the EU.
She warned there will be “some bumps in the road” ahead, while other ministers have likened the future to a roller-coaster. Unite will be doing its best to make sure the bumps, twists and turns, ups and downs, don’t end up taking workers and their rights for a ride.
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