GKN workers will be travelling from workplaces across England to
the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday (28 February) to lobby MPs
and demand Theresa May’s government stops Melrose’s debt-fuelled
takeover bid of the British-based engineer. Working in aerospace,
automotive and defence, the workers from the South
West, West Midlands and South of
England believe a takeover by Melrose could lead to GKN being
sold off piecemeal and jobs cut or shipped abroad. Unite
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GKN workers will be travelling from workplaces across England to
the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday (28 February) to lobby MPs
and demand ’s government stops Melrose’s
debt-fuelled takeover bid of the British-based engineer.
Working in aerospace, automotive and defence, the workers
from the South West, West
Midlands and South of
England believe a takeover by Melrose could lead to
GKN being sold off piecemeal and jobs cut or shipped
abroad.
Unite is urging the secretary of state for business to use his powers under the
Enterprise Act (2002) to block Melrose’s bid in the public
interest.
Under the act the secretary of state can intervene on issues
of national security. GKN is a major defence partner to Airbus and
Boeing and supplies and maintains UK defence equipment used by the
Royal Air Force and the Army. In addition to Typhoon, GKN is also
involved in the F-35 joint strike aircraft, as well as the Chinook
and Black Hawk helicopter programmes.
GKN workers will be meeting and briefing MPs from 10:45 on
Wednesday in committee room 12 before the photo
opportunity.
Commenting Unite assistant general secretary for aerospace
Steve Turner said: “There is mounting concern
across political parties and business over Melrose’s debt-laden bid
and the risk it poses to UK jobs and defence
interests.
“GKN will be saddled with over £1.3 billion of debt if
Melrose succeeds with its bid, while its advisors will pocket
upwards of £140 million in fees. This is a deal that would have
‘The Wolf of Wall Street’ licking his lips and leaves workers
fearful that they will ultimately pay for this debt-fuelled bonanza
with their jobs.
“Technology and jobs risk being shipped abroad and
because of GKN’s defence work our national security is at risk. The
message from our members is clear. ’s government must use its power
to block the bid to protect jobs, communities and our national
security.”
Unite assistant general secretary for manufacturing Tony
Burke said: “GKN is a world class manufacturer. It
is essential to the government’s industrial strategy and is one of
the jewels in Britain’s manufacturing
crown.
“In Melrose’s hands, all that would be put at risk and
ministers’ plans for the UK to be a leader in electric vehicles
could be left in tatters.
“Melrose’s debt-fuelled bid would not happen in France
or Germany. has said she will act in the
national interest. It’s time she did and saved British jobs by
ensuring her government stopped the GKN takeover.”
