GMB Scotland Urges SNP To Consider Economic And Employment Realities Ahead Of Trident Debate
Scotland is in no position to play fast and loose with thousands of high-value jobs dependent on trident renewal says GMB Scotland.
Ahead of the House of Commons debate on trident renewal next week, GMB Scotland has today (Thursday 14 July) urged SNP MPs to wake-up to the economic and employment realities of playing ‘fast and loose’ with Scottish jobs dependent on the future of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
In a letter to MPs representing constituencies on the Clyde and Fife, GMB Scotland has warned that the recent delays to the Type-26 frigate programme on the Upper Clyde by the UK government demonstrate that there are no guarantees on the future security of thousands of skilled jobs.
Against the backdrop of a stagnant Scottish economy and a manufacturing sector in chronic decline GMB Scotland is calling for MPs to stand-up for Scotland’s interests by recognising the prosperity defence sector employment delivers for our working-class communities.
The debate will take place in the House of Commons on Monday 18 July.
Gary Cook, GMB Scotland Organiser, said “As we have seen on the Upper Clyde, given half a chance the Tories will take the work promised to Scotland back to their political base and there is no shortage of areas in the south that are crying out for work of this value.
So without any support for the vital jobs, skills and the high value terms and conditions our members hold, Scotland is in real danger of wishing away the economic and employment benefits of renewal.
Our economy is flirting dangerously with recession, we are struggling to achieve any sort of meaningful growth and we are haemorrhaging industrial jobs hand over fist through the decline of the offshore sector and neglect of our manufacturing base.
Scotland is in no position to play fast and loose with thousands of high-value jobs dependent on trident renewal or with the prosperity of the working-class communities delivering this valuable work on the Clyde and in Fife.”
Posted: 17th July 2016