Speaking at a press conference held yesterday, Tony Woodley, joint general secretary Unite, said that manufacturing may never recover from the slump if action is not taken soon.

The union is backing short time working, a practice whereby a worker keeps their job, but with fewer hours and less pay, as a potential alternative to redundancy.

It has called for an urgent implementation of a temporary short time working compensation scheme provided by the government.

It added that extra government financing was needed in the manufacturing sector, in keeping with the levels of assistance provided to other European manufacturers.

Derek Simpson, Unite's joint general secretary, said: "Our main interest is in keeping manufacturing jobs. If we don’t then the tax payer will suffer by having to pay social support. We want the government to put people first to help save viable businesses."

The union has organised a March for Jobs in Birmingham city centre on 16 May to urge strategic government action to save manufacturing jobs. He warned that the car industry in particular may never recover if action is not taken soon.

Woodley said: "Workers did not cause this recession but they are paying for it hand over fist with their jobs."

See also:

Unite signs agreement with Elanders