Peugeot workers encouraged by public support

Nov 8 2006

PEUGEOT workers and union officials will be in West Bromwich shopping precinct tomorrow following a hugely successful day of protest last Saturday in central Birmingham.

The workers will be calling on local people to join in the campaign to save their jobs and those of other UK workers by signing a petition which attracted 2,000 signatures at last Saturdays protest.

These names have been added to the 5,000 strong list gathered from previous events across the WestMidlands.

The call comes after Peugeot Citroen made the decision to close its plant in Ryton, Coventry, which will result in the loss of 2,300 jobs.

The protest is also highlighting the continued loss of skilled jobs from the UK and the petition calls on the government to provide better employment laws to protect UK workers.

In addition to stronger employment protection for UK workers Amicus is calling for the government to introduce a range of measures to protect and promote UK manufacturing.

These measures include the appointment of a minister for manufacturing, an increase in government investment in research and development and to challenge the case made for corporate offshoring andoutsourcing.

Amicus' Regional Secretary, Terry Pye said: "The general public have been magnificent in showing their support for the Peugeot workers and workers across the UK.

 "They can see that Peugeot is one of a long and ever growing list of companies exploiting weak UK employment laws by closing down and relocating abroad.

"These job losses have a devastating social and economic effect on families and communities and we hope that the government take on board our concerns and work with us to support UK jobs."

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