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."