BIG prospect in UK 25 billion$If BBD wins the 3 contracts it represents +/- 25 Billion$
https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=232190
Unite Invites Secretary of State to Listen to Workforce
LONDON, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for transport, who has the ultimate responsibility for the awarding of 3 huge contracts for new rail rolling stock, has accepted an invitation from the workforce of Bombardier, the only remaining UK passenger Train builder, to visit them at their Derby production facility, she will visit the site this coming Friday morning. The Secretary of State will see first hand Bombardier's facilities, and will in addition to having discussions with Unite officials and Bombardier senior management will receive representations from the workforce, on how the UK workers and tax payers can benefit from a long term structured approach to rolling stock procurement.
Bob Rixham, Unite National Officer for Railways said:
"Our 'trains to be built in the UK' campaign has been taken to the highest levels of government and the Secretary of State's visit tomorrow will be appreciated by all of the Derby based employees.
Whilst Unite supports the Governments massive financial commitment of tax payers money for the procurement of new rolling stock and Network renewal, our views must tempered by the fact that in recent months up to 50% of our members employed at Derby have and will continue to be laid off work, under a "flex" working arrangement due to lack of orders."
" Unite is determined to ensure that the UK train building not only survives, but expands and provides highly skilled, secure employment for employee's and for future generations, our members will make the case for the UK industry to be treated no less favourably than others, and will press for a long term commitment from the government to reverse the decline of UK train building by providing the stability and support necessary to do so.
The 3 contracts in question are for Thameslink (1,000 cars) Piccadilly line (600 cars) and the Inter City Express programme (2,000 cars), with a combined total in excess of GBP12 Billion pounds.
The workforce will lobby the secretary of state to urge her to keep the contract in the UK to protect the skills and jobs that will be lost if this contract goes abroad, Derby site is the only remaining UK builder of passenger rolling stock.
Derby site is the only remaining UK builder of passenger rolling stock.
Photo opportunities at Bombardier factory Derby on the 11/07/08 Ruth Kelly arriving at 11.15am
Distributed by PR Newswire on behalf of Unite the Union