{"id":17720,"date":"2019-04-01T15:31:10","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T14:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=17720"},"modified":"2020-11-12T12:56:53","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T12:56:53","slug":"making-impossible-dream-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=17720","title":{"rendered":"Making the ‘impossible dream’ a reality"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>\n

Thousands of people joined together in Swindon on Saturday (March 30) in a stunning display of solidarity for Honda workers whose jobs are now threatened under a proposed plant closure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The Save Honda March and Rally drew people from across Swindon, the South West region and further afield from all parts of the nation who stood defiant against Honda\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s decision.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honda worker and Unite member Mitch Harris, 57, was joined by three generations of his family — children, grandchildren as well as his mother (pictured below) — as he highlighted the impact the potential closure would have on all of them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"honda_march_mitch\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAt my age, the chances of me getting another well-paid job like this are minimal,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he told UNITELive. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bIf Swindon hasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t got Honda, there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going to be a massive dent in the economy. If we aren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t earning money from well-paid jobs, we won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be spending it in our local community. Swindon is going to suffer massively.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s son Dan recalls when his father first started working at Honda.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bMy father started a as an older worker,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bAs a young adult, I remember him changing jobs to work at Honda and I thought \u00e2\u20ac\u201c why would you do that at your age? But he worked his way up and has been a real inspiration to me.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve always said, if Honda were to go, it would decimate our town,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Dan added. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bAnd now my fears have become reality. The knock-on effect will be huge.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"honda_march_gammon\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honda worker Laura Gammon was joined in support by her wife Becky (pictured above). Their greatest fears are shared among many affected by Honda\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s announcement \u00e2\u20ac\u201c will they be able to pay their bills in the future?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bBecky and I have just moved house \u00e2\u20ac\u201c we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve doubled our mortgage. How am I going to find another job that pays as well as Honda?\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Becky, who works as a carer, fears that she too will have to find different job that will bring in enough money to support their family.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the worry really \u00e2\u20ac\u201c getting bills paid and the unknown,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 she said, while Laura highlighted that other colleagues are even worse off than them.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bOne of my friends, both she and her husband work at Honda. One of my neighbours down the road \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got 15 family members working at the plant.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Laura and other Honda workers said they felt betrayed by the way workers were informed of the decision through the news.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been off only three times in the four years that I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve worked there,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe are all very loyal, dedicated workers and the decent thing to do is reward us for that loyalty — to at the very least tell us about the closure before it got leaked.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Honda production line worker Jose Fernandes (pictured below) agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"unite_march_jose\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWhen we left for work Monday, we were all happy,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he recalled. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bThen we found out the news and we came home shocked and devastated. I enjoy my work and give 100 per cent. Honda is like my second home.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Despite the palpable sense of fear, the worry that many in the town expressed at the march gave way to a feeling of hope and confidence buoyed by the demo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s turnout and the crowd\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s energy.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIf there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a fighting chance of saving our jobs then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m up for it,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Mitch said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

His son Dan agreed and paid tribute to Unite.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAn event like this shows you how unions are there for workers. Where would we be without them?\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"honda_march_bishop\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bishop of Swindon Lee Rayfield (pictured above), who has served the town for the last 14 years, said he was confident of Swindon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s fighting spirit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThere\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a deep sense of community here,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bIn times like this, it can help us care for our neighbours more \u00e2\u20ac\u201c coming together like this will make the town more caring than it is already.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey tapped into this sense of hope as he addressed demonstrators at the start of the march.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bPeople often say, \u00e2\u20ac\u0098Well, why do you go on marches? They don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t particularly achieve anything,\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWell yes they do. My experience tells me that when working people come out onto the streets to make their voice heard, then people do sit up and take notice. And the one thing I know about Japanese companies — none of them likes bad publicity.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"honda_march_len\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

McCluskey (pictured above) outlined how the union, supported by the business secretary Greg Clark, would be putting alternative proposals to Honda to keep the plant open.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI want you to make certain that you keep optimism and hope in your hearts,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe will make certain that not a single stone is left unturned in order to achieve what we want to achieve. This is the beginning of a campaign and I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m confident it will achieve justice, fairness and victory.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The strength the case the workers and their union will put before Honda \u00e2\u20ac\u201c that the plant is a viable one — was highlighted again and again on Saturday\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s march.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Patrick Renard (pictured below), a Honda worker at a plant in Belgium who came all the way to Swindon in solidarity, explained.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"honda_march_patrick\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bSwindon is a global plant. They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got a workforce that works very hard and is highly skilled. They have exceeded Honda\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quality standards \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and so have set an example for all other plants around the world to follow. What is the point of not investing in Swindon?\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mitch agreed.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIf Honda closes the plant, it will be their loss,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a highly skilled workforce \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the quality coming out of the plant is the best it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ever been.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Thousands of people marched from the Swindon F.C. grounds to the town\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s GWR Park, where they were greeted by music from Unite\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Brass Band and, later in closing the rally, a set from pop singer and Swindon native Josh Kumra.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Speakers, such as Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner, Mayor of Swindon Junab Ali and Labour\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s shadow business secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey, among others, including Honda workers and Unite officials, addressed the marchers.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"honda_march_rebecca\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Long-Bailey (pictured above) highlighted that \u00e2\u20ac\u015bthe economic shock of [the Honda plant closure] won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just be felt here in Swindon.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt will ripple across the UK. Fifteen thousand jobs both at the plant and across the supply chain [gone]; \u00c2\u01411.5bn knocked off our national GDP; \u00c2\u014148m gone in tax \u00e2\u20ac\u201d money that should have been going to our NHS and public services. The economic consequences are absolutely devastating,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 she said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bIt\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s critical that the government \u00e2\u20ac\u201d that everyone we speak to \u00e2\u20ac\u201d realises the economic importance of this plant.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner took note of the song the Unite Brass Band played at the rally \u00e2\u20ac\u201c \u00e2\u20ac\u0098The Impossible Dream\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.<\/p>\n

\"honda_march_steve\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThis might be an impossible dream, but we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to turn it into a realisable reality,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 Turner said. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re going to fight and fight until we get a different decision out of this business, to make sure that Honda stays here in Swindon, that they protect the jobs of the people in Swindon and that they give hope and opportunity to all those youngsters and families and kids that are looking for a decent job.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bThey have no right to sell our jobs \u00e2\u20ac\u201c they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not their jobs to sell. Our task is to stand proud, stand united, to stand in solidarity with one another.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unite\u00c2\u00a0regional secretary Steve Preddy closed the rally, calling the event \u00e2\u20ac\u015ban acorn day\u00e2\u20ac\u0165.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u015bAnd from that acorn will grow the oak of a struggle,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 he said to rousing applause. \u00e2\u20ac\u015bAnd that struggle will see us win the victory to secure the Honda plant here in Swindon. With your help and support we will achieve that goal.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Thousands of people joined together in Swindon on Saturday (March 30) in a stunning display of solidarity for Honda workers whose jobs are now threatened under a proposed plant closure.   The Save Honda March and Rally drew people from across Swindon, the South West region and further afield from all parts of the nation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17729,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[17],"tags":[],"wps_subtitle":"Honda workers and Swindon community unite in fight of their lives","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17720"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17720"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17720\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25392,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17720\/revisions\/25392"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17729"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17720"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17720"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17720"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}