Union, Unite, is demanding that the government increase its efforts in safeguarding future work at Alstom by moving contracts forward for the Derby-based train-building factory.
The unique Alstom Derby factory marks the country's only facility, which offers the design, build and test of trains and is essential in supporting the UK rail industry. The site supports approximately 2,000 employees and through Alstom's supply chain, around 5,000 workers.
The rolling stock manufacturer has held talks with the Department for Transport regarding a number of refurbishment contracts for UK trains, which could be moved forward dealing with the gap in work created by the delayed HS2 train contract. At present, the government has denied approval for this approach.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary said:
“The government needs to get its head out of the sand and bring forward these contracts to improve existing rolling stock immediately.”
“It is frankly unbelievable that they have not already agreed to this, in order to safeguard thousands of highly skilled jobs held by Unite members at Alstom.”
“They now need to do the right thing and I can assure you that Unite will be making sure that they are held to account for their actions.”
Paresh Patel, Unite Regional Secretary said:
“Unite will do everything that is required to secure the future of the Alstom workforce. The government's failure to properly plan its procurement process cannot and will not be allowed to threaten the livelihoods of our members. If this Government, who claims to be on the side of working people, allows this to happen, it will be a gross betrayal of this workforce and the people of Derby.”
Perhaps Alstom could build a new train manufacturing plant still in England and in the East Midlands and to continue with the production of the Aventra rolling stocks. As Hitachi built their own train manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe in County Durham to continue on their mass production of the Class 385 AT200 and the Class 800-Class 810 AT300 IET.
And also CAF built their own train manufacturing plant at Newport, South Wales to continue on manufacturing new trains in the UK including West Midlands Railway Class 196 and Transport for Wales Class 197 Civity. And Siemens are currently building a new plant at Goole, East Yorkshire with the new Piccadilly Line trains to be built there.