Union leaders meet to discuss NE_manufacturing crisis

The meeting is part of the union's overall strategy to persuade the Government to help regions hit by manufacturing job losses. On Monday, the TUC called for emergency aid for regions affected by the "major crisis" in the manufacturing industry.

In a report entitled 'Britain Can Make It', the union spelled out a 30-point programme aimed at giving firms a "breathing space" over the next year.

"I will go one step further than this report and say the North-East can make it," said Paul Nowak, the TUC's Northern regional secretary. "North-East manufacturing has a strong future, with companies in the region manufacturing cutting-edge products.

"But the Government must act immediately to protect this future. They need to let the regions take decisions," he said. "The RDA (One NorthEast) needs Government support to be able to respond to the massive job losses we've suffered and help the region work towards producing high quality jobs."

At the meeting in Gateshead union leaders will develop a regional strategy that will support the national 30-point programme. Key issues to be addressed include the call for an elected regional assembly in order to give the North-East more power to tackle problems such as unemployment, social exclusion, and workplace partnerships.

Union members will also look at the low level of educational achievement in the North-East.

"The North-East has the most underqualified workforce and the most underqualified management," said Mr Nowak. "This needs addressing."

Decisions and recommendations made at the meeting will be incorporated into a regional strategy which will then be issued to business, Government, community and social groups across the region.

"The thing is that we work in partnership," said Mr Nowak. "Unions do not have all the answers to the manufacturing crisis. The future is one where we work to create jobs and a solid future for the region."

Visit the TUC online. Use back button to return.