Trade unions supporting Heathrow expansion

SPONSORED POST

FAO: All Labour MPs

15 September 2015

GMB and UNITE SUPPORT HEATHROW EXPANSION

On July 1st, the Airports Commission published their report which followed a lengthy, evidence-based consideration of Britain’s needs for greater airport capacity. That report unambiguously concluded that Heathrow should be expanded.

We have joined together to support the Commission’s conclusion. We support the creation of successful businesses, economic growth and high quality jobs. The economic case for airport expansion in the South East was overwhelming; kicking this report into the long grass risks Heathrow losing its status as a world leading hub airport and see the economy miss out on a jobs boost of up to 180,000 jobs – according to the Airports Commission’s own figures. Expanding Heathrow also gives the opportunity to re-establish the domestic routes that were lost due to constraint at the UK’s hub, crucial for supporting the exporting ambitions of our regions and nations.

The Airports Commission also calls for training opportunities and apprenticeships for local people, so that nearby communities benefit from jobs generated by the new infrastructure. It also argues that airport expansion will create thousands of new jobs and that Heathrow Airport should work with local authorities and schools to ensure local people, including young people, are able to benefit from this opportunity and should support the London Living Wage. We support these calls and stand ready to ensure that Heathrow deliver these commitments.

The report importantly attaches a number of demanding conditions to Heathrow, relating to environmental protection as well as its role as an employer. All of these stipulations are important and Heathrow must now demonstrate they can meet them, but what is also needed is political support for this important project to be realised. Only thereafter the promise of high quality jobs, more trade and better environmental mitigations can be delivered.

Trade Unions were at the heart of delivering previous large infrastructure projects, notably Heathrow Terminal Five and the stadia for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. We are already involved in discussions with Heathrow about how we can work together on expansion, in order to ensure the benefits are widely and evenly shared.

Now is the time for politicians to show leadership and grasp the opportunity Heathrow expansion will bring.

We are ready to play our role.

Mick Rix, National Officer GMB, and Oliver Richardson, National Officer Civil Air Transport Unite the Union