CAMPAIGN Defend GKN


case for the future of the business and how they are going to deliver long-term success for the company, shareholders, workers and pension holders.”


MPs will also consider whether the takeover bid should be blocked on national security grounds.


Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke believes government intervention is of the utmost importance. “GKN’s aerospace contracts clearly raise the issue of national security,” he says, “while the driveshaft’s division’s development of electric vehicle components is pioneering. Losing either would seriously damage the UK’s manufacturing capability, ending serious hopes of an industrial strategy.”


But could the government’s reluctance to step in be explained by a Tory Party vested interest in the takeover, as a Daily Mirror report revealed in February?


The Mirror reports that two Melrose executives had both donated tens of thousands of pounds to the Tory Party over the years. Executive vice chairman David Roper has donated £131,375 to the Tories over the last four years, while executive chairman Christopher Miller donated £40,492 to the party in the last decade.


“There are clear national security interests at stake here,” said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.


“Should an acquisitions company which is driven to return a fast profit to its shareholders be entrusted with the safe upkeep of our defence? Indeed, can they be trusted with the future of at least 6,000 workers, their pensions or communities?


Resolute – GKN Filton Unite member Marcelline Decastiau and colleagues standing strong


“In light of the Mirror’s report that Melrose bosses are also significant donors to the Tory party, it’s also important the prime minister stays true to her promise to act on the national interest on this takeover. That means intervening to stop a great British manufacturer from falling into the wrong hands.


“So prime minister, tell us the truth,” Len demanded. “Where do your obligations lie? To a party propped up by a handful of super-rich donors, or to the honourable workers and businesses of this country?”


Back in Filton Dave Tiley reflects on his life at the site – he started here nearly 30 years ago. His wife Tina works as she has done for many years in the canteen – they met there back in the day over a plate of chips. It was at the till that Dave took the big step and asked her out.


Now they have four children – one son Jay, 24, has worked here for three years – and he hopes to make that permanent. As Dave says, “If Melrose takes over we’ll all lose our jobs.”


Working at the Filton site is ingrained deep within the Tiley family’s history. During the war paternal grandad Alfred Tiley was a foreman – right there when the site was bombed.


“We fought off Hitler and now we face being torn apart by shareholders and money men,” Dave says.


Unite continues the fight to stop that from becoming a reality.


“”


Prime minister, tell us the truth. Where do your obligations lie? To a party propped up by a handful of super-rich donors, or to the honourable workers and businesses of this country?


Len McCluskey Unite general secretary


Find out more at www.unitetheunion.org/campaigning/stop-the-gkn-takeover/


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