Unite: Working people ask the Government: ‘Are you listening?’
Ahead of the national demonstration by working people this Saturday (28th March 2009), calling on the G20 leaders to ‘Put People First’, Unite members are calling on the government to listen to the concerns of working people to support jobs and close tax loopholes for the rich.
Unite, UK’s biggest union, conducted a snap shot poll of members, with the majority stating they are concerned about their job. In addition 91% of the respondents support a co-ordinated global action to close tax loopholes.
Ahead of the G20 summit thousands of Unite members, travelling from across the UK, are coming to London this Saturday to join the ‘March for Jobs, Justice and Climate’.
A massive 69% of respondents were worried about losing their jobs. When respondents were asked to rate a number of issues they were most concerned about, support for skilled manufacturing jobs was rated the most important concern, with 30% of respondents rating it their top priority. The need for improved redundancy terms and concern about the impact of rising fuel prices came second equal with 18% of respondents rating the two issues their number two priority.
75% of respondents reported that they did not feel they knew enough about what the government is doing to support working people through this time of economic uncertainty. The result indicates that the government are failing to properly communicate the benefits of the action they have taken so far including; the massive bail-out of the banking system which was necessary to support working families and the wider economy, Gordon Brown’s leadership on the world economy, the cut in VAT, help for home owners facing repossession and an increase in the top rate of tax.
Given the importance that the respondents placed on support for British manufacturing, action to provide significant support through a £13bn strategic fund from the government would be met with considerable support.
Unite’s joint general Secretary, Tony Woodley. said: “Our members from every corner of this country will convene in London to send a clear message to world leaders that they want decent jobs.
“Support for the UK’s manufacturing base is our members’ prime concern but it’s not just a UK issue, it is a global issue, many of our key manufacturing companies are owned overseas. Supporting skills and employment in this country supports skills and workers in Europe and further a field.”
Unite’s joint general secretary, Derek Simpson, said: “There can be no going back to business as usual, the world has changed. Our future depends on creating an economy based on the fair distribution of wealth and that means closing the tax loopholes that allow corporations and super rich individuals to avoid paying their fair share of tax. Unite members support global action to close tax loopholes.
“It is time for the leaders of the G20 to act and end the culture of greed, which has led to the worst economic crisis of our times.”
– Ends –
For more information please contact: Saba Mozakka, Unite press office on: 07768 693 953 or 020 7420 8916
– Notes to Editors –
For information on the participation of Unite in the ‘March for Jobs, Justice and Climate’ please visit: www.unitetheunion.com/g20demo
The march will be addressed by Tony Woodley, Unite joint general secretary and Leo Gerard, USW President.
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