GMB London call on Government to provide a rescue package for jobs in aviation

GMB call for the Government to stop dithering and recognise the damaging effects the collapse of the aviation sector is having on the economy across London and the South East says GMB London.

GMB Congress today, 7th June passed a motion calling for the government to recognise the damaging effects the collapse of the aviation sector has had on the economy across London and the South East and must commit to supporting the sector with an economic package that helps both airports and the wider supply chain to survive without further redundancies.

GMB London’s “Save Our Airports” campaign demands that Government provides a sector-specific bespoke financial package to support aviation and key airports such as Heathrow to protect jobs in this vital sector.

• Recognise the vital role aviation workers continue to play in ensuring food and medical supplies still enter the country.

• Extend the 80% furlough scheme for 12 months for workers in the aviation industry but with the possibility to 'taper' where necessary.

• Ensure that any state aid comes with guarantees to protect jobs before shareholders and with environmental safeguards to create a greener industry.
• State aid discussions should not take place behind closed doors. Trade unions must be involved in those negotiations and powerful airline companies should not be at the front of the queue (the supply chain and regional airports are just as important).

• Stop putting further restrictions on air travel and publicly support our air and tourism sector

• Ensure that all trade unions are part of any sector recovery talks to ensure that front line transport workers' voices are brought to the fore.

Gary Pearce, GMB London Region Senior Officer said:

“GMB continues to fight for jobs in the aviation sector and supply chain, working with employers we have managed to negotiate alternatives to job losses. But the pandemic has had a disastrous financial impact on airports and the companies that depend on air travel and transportation. These employers cannot continue without help from the government, the sector is on its knees.

“We can all expect that the UK will eventually arrive at a pre-pandemic normal, so it is vital that those employed in the aviation sector and supply chain are ready and waiting with the skills and experience required to get the UK flying again. A sector-specific support package made available now can ensure this materialises.”

GMB calls on the government to work with aviation management and unions to save jobs in the aviation sector and supply chain by extending the 80% furlough scheme and implementing a sector-specific economic package that will enable the aviation sector to ride out the devasting effects of the pandemic without further job losses.  Both the extension of furlough and the economic package should last until the aviation industry has returned to pre-pandemic levels of business and stability.

During the pandemic, the GMB’s ‘Save Our Aviation’ campaign put pressure on the government for sector-specific support whilst GMB challenged employers in aviation and the supply chain to help save jobs. The campaign continues to be valued and supported by our members and activist in the sector. With such focus and camaraderie, a dedicated website for GMB members in the aviation sector and supply chain has been created. Developed and maintained by members in A37 branch, this website is a key resource for GMB members in the sector, providing up to date information for each of the regional airports, rep contact details, jobs search and an online real-time rep contact facility.

AVIATION WORKERS UNION GMB (www.aviation-branch.com) is a credit to our steadfast members involved in this initiative. GMB London wishes to congratulate those responsible for this member-led initiative.

End

Contact: Gary Pearce, GMB London Region Senior Officer, 078 5003 6952

Editors notes

Text of the motion carried by GMB Congress:

142. SAVE OUR AVIATION SECTOR

This Congress recognises that the Aviation sector has been decimated due to the Covid 19 pandemic. This will take years to recover as thousands of Aviation jobs have already been lost and workers and their families within the Airport communities are struggling.

We call on Congress to support our “Save Our Airports” campaign.

We demand that the Government provides a sector specific bespoke financial package to support Aviation and key airports such as Heathrow to protect jobs

To protect this vital sector, GMB are calling on the Government to stop dithering and:

• Recognise the damaging effects the collapse of the aviation sector will have on the economy across London and the South East and must commit to supporting the sector in its hour of need, through an economic package that helps both airports and the wider supply chain to survive without redundancies.
• Recognise the vital role aviation workers continue to play in ensuring food and medical supplies still enter the country.
• Extend the 80% furlough scheme for 12 months for workers in the aviation industry but with the possibility to 'taper' where necessary.
• Ensure that any state aid comes with guarantees to protect jobs before shareholders and with environmental safeguards to create a greener industry. State aid discussions should not take place behind closed doors. Trade unions must be involved in those negotiations and powerful airline companies should not be at the front of the queue (the supply chain and regional airports are just as important).
• Stop putting further restrictions on air travel and publicly support our air and tourism sector
• Ensure that all trade unions are part of any sector recovery talks to ensure that front line transport workers' voices are brought to the fore.