Unite Calls for Urgent Scottish Manufacturing Summit

LONDON - Unite, Scotland’s biggest union, has today written to the Minister for
Enterprise, Energy & Tourism, Jim Mather MSP, calling for a manufacturing
summit to help explore ways to support the sector and to keep people in
employment.

Last week in the Scottish Parliament at the Finance and Sustainable
Growth debate on the 5th of March, Jim Mather MSP, following a question from
John Park MSP, agreed to hold a summit with key stakeholders including trade
unions.

Unite believes it is a matter of great concern that the recent economic
analysis by the Fraser of Allander Institute, published in February, has
forecast that up to 20,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector could be lost by
2012.

Unite Scottish Secretary, John Quigley said: “It is our firm belief that
manufacturing should be at the heart of efforts to rebalance the economy, but
if this is to be achieved then more engagement with all key stakeholders,
including trade unions, must begin with a matter of urgency.

“We must work together to develop a strategy that can help stimulate
domestic and external demand to aid economic recovery and keep people in
employment during this difficult period. This must include awarding contracts
and targeting investment in defence, energy, construction, universities and
further education institutions, transport and infrastructure.

“Unite is determined to redouble our efforts to secure support for
Scotland’s vital manufacturing sector, which employs over 200,000 people, but
we are clear that words should be backed up by immediate action.”

The manufacturing sector in Scotland employs over 200,000 in industries
such as defence, chemicals, petroleum, mechanical engineering, transport,
print and publishing, and food and drinks.

Source: Unite the Union

For further information contact John Quigley on +44(0)7771-656632 or Mark Di-Toro in the Unite press office on +44(0)7918-640579.