PCS: Mark Serwotka responds to forestry sales announcement
Mark Serwotka responds to forestry sales announcement
Commenting on news today (11 Feb) that the government has called to a temporary halt to sales of 15% of England’s publicly-owned forests, Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka
said:
“If this is a flicker of recognition from the government that the public does not want its national assets sold off then it’s welcome and is a tribute to everyone who has campaigned so far.
“But ministers remain committed to selling off our forests, so we must keep the pressure up on this issue and on all the other cuts that this arrogant and out of touch government is planning.
“We must also remember that hundreds of jobs are still at risk at the Forestry Commission, the loss of which will hit forestry-related industries and services and have a severe impact on small communities.
“The government must stop this plan and ensure we retain a properly-resourced Forestry Commission to directly own and run our public forests.”
ENDS
Notes
– For information and interview requests contact PCS national press officer Richard Simcox on 020 7801 2747 or 07833 978216
– The Public and Commercial Services union represents civil and public servants in central government. It has more than 300,000 members in over 200 departments and agencies – including 950 staff in the Forestry Commission – and in parts of government transferred to the private sector. PCS is the UK’s sixth largest union and is affiliated to the TUC. The general secretary is Mark Serwotka and the president is Janice Godrich
– Follow PCS on Twitter
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