Hundreds Take to the Streets to Demonstrate Over Proposed Closure of Anglesey Aluminium

LONDON -

WHEN: 12pm, Saturday, 19th September 2009

WHERE: Holyhead Town Hall, Newry Street, LL65

Hundreds of Unite members, along with people from across Anglesey, will hold a demonstration tomorrow (Saturday, 19th September) against the proposed closure of the Anglesey Aluminium smelting plant by Rio Tinto.

Demonstrators will carry placards demanding Rio Tinto ‘put people before profit’ to show their anger and disappointment over its decision to close the Anglesey Aluminium, one of the largest employers in North Wales.

Anglesey Aluminium, jointly owned by Rio Tinto Alcan (51%) and Kaiser Aluminium (49%), were unwilling to commit to the long term future of the plant therefore condemning the 500 highly skilled workers. This decision has deeply affected the lives of families associated to the smelter and will kill-off Holyhead and its surrounding communities.

Unite found it astonishing that Anglesey Aluminium has refused to accept a rescue package of GBP48 million pounds, given by the government and Welsh Assembly Government, which would’ve seen the site remain open for at least another two years.

The site is currently continuing its smelting operations and is extremely busy in meeting customer demands. However, Unite believes it is in essence squeezing every last drop of aluminium prior to the closure which will be on the 30th September.

Unite national officer for the metals, Terry Pye, said:

“This is a disgraceful decision by Rio Tinto. We believe the only reason for the closure is one of greed. We have been angered further by the plant’s refusal to accept a rescue package which would’ve kept the site open for a further two years.”

Unite regional officer, Graham Rogers, said:

“This is a clear case of a multinational company putting profit before people. This rally will demonstrate the strength of feeling the community have towards this closure. Hundreds of families’ livelihoods hang in the balance and we will not give up on them without a fight.”

The speakers on the day will be: Cllr. John Chorlton - Mayor of Holyhead Gwilym Owen - Senior Steward Leuan Wyn Jones - Deputy First Minister WAG Terry Pye - Unite National Officer Albert Owen - Ynys Mon Labour MP Andy Richards - Unite Regional Secretary

Source: Unite the Union

For further information contact Graham Rogers on +44(0)7903-937720 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on +44(0)20-7420-8914 or +44(0)7980-224761.