Unite Says Decision Would Safeguard Over 200,000 Jobs

The UK's leading labor union is urging the British government to give the green light to the construction of a third runway at Heathrow airport.

The call came Monday amid mounting frustration that the go-ahead to modernize Heathrow, the UK's only international hub airport, has been delayed. Unite says it is "concerned that every day of delay further damages Heathrow's reputation as a world class airport and leaves 172,000 workers uncertain about their future."

Modernization of Heathrow, however, would not only safeguard these jobs but create an additional 50,000 other jobs in construction and services says Unite, providing much-needed employment opportunities during the recession.

As Unite steps up its campaign to "set the record straight" about Heathrow expansion, part of which will see Unite members who work at the airport address Parliamentarians on Wednesday, January 14, joint general secretary Derek Simpson said:

"There can be no further delay in the modernization of Heathrow, the UK's only international hub airport. Heathrow should be the jewel in our crown but it is falling behind world class standards.

"We know that the expansion of Heathrow is not an easy decision. People are concerned for the environment and their quality of life. But we sincerely believe that Heathrow's modernisation is the only way to reduce aircraft emissions and cut disruption."

"Only modernization at Heathrow will keep Britain on the global transport map and stop our cities and industries losing out to our competitors in Europe. Now of all times we need to seize the opportunities to create more jobs and preserve this country's status as a world-leading economy. We cannot hope to achieve either if we choke-off investment in Heathrow and turn our leading airport into a museum piece."

Unite is also concerned that a "mistaken" view is being allowed to take hold that a high speed rail link between UK cities is a realistic alternative to a third runway at the airport.

"Of course the UK needs a high speed rail link between our major cities and airports but this alone is not the answer to passenger congestion," Simpson said. "We must be realistic -- however high speed it may be, a rail link can only absorb a tiny fraction of those travellers who want an alternative way to connect to our cities.

"The UK's economy, workers and passengers need our Government to look to our future. Unite says grasp this once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the UK's biggest world class airport and give the green light for the third runway. This will support jobs now and create work for tens of thousands of workers hit hard by this recession."

FMI: www.amicustheunion.org, www.heathrowairport.com