Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said that under the current political climate members must be prepared for Brexit uncertainty to continue.
“We are seeing that playing out in investment decisions and at the bargaining table, especially in manufacturing, and it is reaching a crescendo as the government threatens a reckless no deal Brexit. In spite of this, Unite convenors, shop stewards and workplace reps across every sector are working flat out to protect members,” McCluskey said.
“With good employers that can mean reaching an understanding before Brexit that working rights will be protected in our collective agreements. With others it means using our collective strength to face down opportunistic attacks on pay or our bargaining rights.”
Whatever form Brexit may end up taking and whatever settlement is reached, Unite is demonstrating that the first line of protection for working people is always within their union.”
In the political sphere, Unite is continuing to lobby and campaign for a Brexit deal that protects jobs and living standards and is demanding that the government take no deal off the table. At the end of August, Unite manufacturing reps met with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove to reiterate the devastating impact a no deal Brexit would have across their sector.
But reps were left with more questions than answers after Gove failed to give any specific guarantees on a range of concerns – including those related to supply chains, tariffs, anti-dumping measures, R&D and investment – all of which underpin the very survival of the UK’s manufacturing base post-Brexit.
“There were no concrete answers, lots of platitudes, but a commitment to securing a meeting with the PM”, said Unite Vauxhall convenor John Cooper, who attended the meeting. “We made it clear: No deal, no way.”
For resources and information related to Brexit, and to contact Unite’s dedicated Brexit team, visit
unitebrexitcheck.org.
21 uniteWORKS Autumn 2019
* University of Sussex research
My shopping list
A no deal Brexit will see food costs rise by 7 % on average*
Till totals up by Dairy products
Meat Oils and fats
Bread and cereals Vegetables
8.1 % 5.8 % 7.8 % 1.8 % 4.0 %
Sugar,confectionary 2.3 % Fruit
3.1 %
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