The Executive Council of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has pledged unanimous support to Bombardier workers in Belfast.
This follows a detailed report delivered to the Executive Council, on September 20, on the current situation in Bombardier and the very real fears for 4,500 manufacturing jobs located in Bombardier Belfast. The Executive pledged unanimous for the workers and the GMB and Unite trade unions which represent them.
Speaking after the meeting Patricia King, Congress General Secretary said: 'the dispute between Boeing and Bombardier could potentially have a devastating impact on the workers and the wider Northern Ireland economy. These are highly skilled decent jobs that must be protected. It is incumbent on the two largest parties in Northern Ireland to continue to work together on this issue and use whatever leverage they have to support the workers.
'there is also a particular responsibility and onus on the UK government to support the interests of these workers at this time to ensure they do not become the victims of a battle between two large multinational corporations. There are countless supply chain companies and workers in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland that will also be impacted should a negative decision be made against Bombardier at the International Trade Commission in the US.
'the Irish Congress of Trade Unions will be doing what it can with the Irish government, our colleagues in the British Trades" Union Congress (TUC) and the international trade union movement to seek to ensure that all of these jobs, which are a critical part of the Northern Ireland economy, are protected," Ms King concluded.
Congress represents almost 600,000 workers in the Republic of Ireland and 200,000 workers in Northern Ireland.
For more information contact Macdara Doyle: 087 9174171
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