UNITE: Aerospace workers gather in Bristol to say ‘stop the GKN takeover’

Wednesday, 28 February 2018 10:18

What: Photo/broadcast opportunity – Aerospace workers from Airbus, Rolls-Royce and MBDA join GKN workers to say ‘stop the GKN takeover’ Where: Airbus trade union office, Airbus Filton site, Bristol, BS34 9AU When: 12:45 hrs Thursday 1 March 2018 Workers from some of GKN’s biggest customers will be joining their colleagues from GKN tomorrow (Thursday 1 March) to call on Theresa May’s government to block Melrose’s debt-fuelled takeover bid of the British-based...Request free trial

What: Photo/broadcast opportunity – Aerospace workers from Airbus, Rolls-Royce and MBDA join GKN workers to say ‘stop the GKN takeover’
Where: Airbus trade union office, Airbus Filton site, Bristol, BS34 9AU
When: 12:45 hrs Thursday 1 March 2018

Workers from some of GKN’s biggest customers will be joining their colleagues from GKN tomorrow (Thursday 1 March) to call on Theresa May’s government to block Melrose’s debt-fuelled takeover bid of the British-based engineer.

The show of solidarity by members of Unite the union at the Airbus site in Filton, Bristol comes as GKN workers from the across the country to lobby MPs in Westminster today (Wednesday 28 February).

Fearful a takeover by Melrose could lead to GKN being sold off piecemeal and jobs cut or shipped abroad, the GKN workers in aerospace, automotive and defence are calling to block the bid in the national interest.

Media wishing to attend tomorrow’s photo-opportunity need to register with Unite convenor John Sweeney by emailing john.sweeney@gknaerospace.com to gain access to the site.

Commenting Unite regional officer Steve Preddy said: “GKN can trace its roots back over 100 years at the Filton site in Bristol. It is feared that this hub of ingenuity, which has been home to iconic aircraft like Concorde, could be hit and jobs lost if Melrose succeeds with its debt-fuelled takeover of GKN.

“Workers from across aerospace and some of GKN’s biggest customers are united in believing that GKN in Melrose’s hands would be bad for business and bad for workers

“GKN will be saddled with over £1.3 billion of debt if Melrose succeeds, while its advisors would pocket upwards of £140 million in fees. Workers are fearful that they will pay for this debt fuelled payday with their livelihoods with technology and jobs shipped abroad.

“The message from our members across aerospace is clear. Theresa May’s government must use its power to block the bid to protect jobs, communities and our national security.”