Green Party Trade
Union Group sends support to the workers of the BMW oxford car plant
The Green Party Trade
Union Group sends solidarity to the workers of the BMW Oxford car plant
who are now threatened with redundancy. (https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18677045.hundreds-workers-lose-jobs-mini-plant-oxford/). We support the
efforts of Unite to minimise the impact of these cuts. It is the duty of
unions, especially in the current hostile economic circumstances, to defend
their members’ pay and conditions including the terms under which they may end
their employment.
As Green Party
members, we advocate the creation of a low carbon economy in order to stop our
worsening climate crisis. This would involve the phasing out of some types of
industry. Motor vehicle production, especially of vehicles that cause carbon
emissions, contribute to climate change and air pollution, is one of those industries. However, we favour a process of just transition, so that
workers can maintain their standard of living whilst developing their skills to
contribute to a new type of economy. The example of the Lucas plan where Lucas
Aerospace workers showed how socially useful production could be developed,
shows that this can be achieved.
Instead of making
redundancies to bolster its flagging profitability, BMW should be considering retraining workers
and redesigning its production to meet the future needs of a planet friendly
economy. In the event that BMW does not follow this sensible course, the Green
Party Trade Union Group agrees that Unite must do whatever it needs to defend
the Oxford workers.
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