Don’t put UK manufacturing at risk

The country’s biggest manufacturing union Unite welcomed the interventions today (June 15) by some of the UK’s blue chip business as they seek to rally support for the UK to remain in the European Union.

Such is their concern that UK manufacturing would be damaged by a Brexit, the heads of Rolls Royce, Ford and GKN Aerospace took the step of writing to their workforces to make the case for the UK to stay in the Union.

Their calls were echoed by Unite’s assistant general secretary for manufacturing, Tony Burke.

“We’ve heard today from the heads of companies that UK workers have made known around the world,” Burke said.

“When Ford, Rolls Royce and GKN Aerospace say that our future success as a manufacturing nation lies on us retaining our membership of the EU then we must listen.

“These companies employ men, women and apprentices right across the country,” he added. “Their jobs make our communities and our industry stronger. For every one directly employed worker in the manufacturing, four other jobs are supported in the supply chain.

“Our members have worked extremely hard to make these companies the world beaters that they are,” Burke went on to say. “We appeal to voters, don’t put this at risk.

“These are the sort of jobs we want more of, to increase decent employment in this country, not to put it in jeopardy. That’s why we urge working people that on June 23 they get behind our world class workforces and vote Remain.”