An independent poll of over 25,000 people shows massive support for Bombardier, and ‘shames the Tory-led government’, as thousands prepare to march in support of Britain’s last train maker today (Saturday 23 July 2011).
An overwhelming 88% believed that the government should rethink its decision to exclude Bombardier, from the Thameslink contract and a further 95% of respondents believed that the government should actively support UK manufacturing jobs.
Unite assistant general secretary, Diana Holland said:
“This is a wake-up call for the government. It’s time to face facts and admit excluding Bombardier from the Thameslink contract is disastrous.
“1,400 people will lose their jobs and Bombardier’s future is at risk. There is still time for a rethink to save Britain’s last train maker and reverse this colossal error of judgement.
“The people of this country, politicians from all the main parties and the media believe that the Government should act to save Bombardier.
“Today, thousands of people will make their message loud and clear – support Bombardier, support Derby, support British manufacturing.”
Unite, Britain’s biggest union is leading the march and rally in Derby, the home of Bombardier which also has the highest concentration of companies manufacturing train components in Europe. Thousands are expected to attend.
Last month, the government announced that the consortium led by Siemens had beaten Bombardier Transportation’s consortium to be the preferred bidder for the 1,200 new carriage contract on the Thameslink route.
Bombardier remains the reserve bidder for the contract.
As a result 1,400 workers face redundancy and the future of Bombardier, the UK’s last train maker is at risk.
