Unite, which represents over 65,000 workers in the aviation sector,
has warned that the clock is ticking and the delay in the
government providing tailored support to the industry is a serious
threat to hundreds of thousands of jobs. Launching
its campaign which includes a bespoke film, to
defend the more than one million UK jobs related to aviation, Unite
is calling on MPs from across the political spectrum to back its
calls for a new deal for the sector along the lines of...Request free trial
Unite, which represents over 65,000 workers in the aviation sector,
has warned that the clock is ticking and the delay in the
government providing tailored support to the industry is a serious
threat to hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Launching
its campaign which includes
a bespoke
film, to defend the more than one million UK jobs related to
aviation, Unite is calling on MPs from across the political
spectrum to back its calls for a new deal for the sector along the
lines of those implemented in other
countries.
The union is very
concerned that the 'bespoke package' promised by
the Chancellor on March 17 has still
not been announced. Without this support, the entire aviation
sector, from air traffic control to the viability of
some airports, are at risk along with jobs right across
the country both in aviation directly and in related work such as
airplane
manufacturing.
In recent days, at least
28,000 potential job cuts in the sector and associated industries,
including, Rolls Royce and British Airways, have been
announced.
Unite is calling for the
UK government to follow in the footsteps of other
governments which have provided significant support for their
aviation sectors, led by the United States which is providing
$61 billion of support to their aviation industry. Germany has
provided €9 billion, while Holland and France have provided a
joint package of €9 billion, Italy €600 million, Spain €1 billion,
Singapore $13 billion and Australia $715
million.
Unite is pressing for the
government to acknowledge aviation as a strategically vital sector,
just as competitor economies do, not just to support the 1.2
million workers who rely on the aviation and aerospace sector for
work but also for the regional connectivity aviation provides
and its important role in everything from supporting supply chains
to moving NHS medicines and
PPE.
Launching the campaign to
rally support for the sector, Unite assistant general
secretary Diana Holland said: “The government has
the future of the aviation sector in its
hands.
"The clock is
at five to midnight. We cannot have further delay - we
urgently need that programme of support promised two months ago to
emerge in order to stabilise this very vulnerable sector and avert
massive job
losses.
“The impact of
Covid-19 throughout aviation has been devastating and it is
recognised worldwide that it requires a strategic package of
government support as it rebuilds and as confidence is
restored.
“Aviation is
central to our economy and in linking people together,
connecting regions connectivity and providing jobs.
A package to support these is also a real opportunity to green
the
industry.
“As an
island we need a viable aviation sector for trade, medicines, mail
and work. Air travel is far more than just a leisure
activity.
“Governments in
Europe and globally have provided financial support for their
aviation sectors because they recognise it is vital to an
economy, and the UK government needs to do the
same.”
The union has launched a
blueprint for the survival of the aviation industry and related
jobs the key points of which
are:
-
The government
needs to provide loans and/or take a financial stake in
companies, with all loans and stakes to be fully
repayable
-
Companies who
participate in such a scheme are prohibited from paying
dividends, undertaking share buybacks or capital contributions,
until 12 months after the loan is fully
repaid
-
All elements of
executive pay will be
capped
-
Employment and
employee terms and conditions protected, with any reduction in
workforce restricted to 10 per cent or
less
-
Companies
eligible for such support would either be suffering losses,
acting to consolidate business, or to rescue or replace a part
of the sector that no longer
exists.
-
All financial
support and loans should be provided on the condition that
recipients have a clear programme of transition to more
efficient and greener travel
operations
-
Smaller
airports and air traffic control, as well as specific public
service obligation routes within the UK’s aviation network,
should be publicly financed in order to retain much needed and
vital
connectivity.
ENDS
Notes to
editors:
UK Aviation
flying into the
future
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