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Union demands protection for aviation workers

A union representing aviation workers is calling on ministers to protect jobs amid the Covid-19 collapse in travel.

The GMB union, which has been demonstrating outside Heathrow,  welcomed news of a government aviation recovery plan to be published in the autumn.

GMB union membership development officer Ken Breach said: “We welcome the fact that the government are finally looking into this with a view to develop a proper plan.

“Our concerns are that we need proper protection for jobs, a furlough scheme for the aviation industry that goes further and offers more protection.

“We need clear legislation that stops the ‘fire and rehire’ culture that is being flagged by British Airways.

“It’s good news that we will have a plan but that only works if we protect the workers as without them no plan will ever come together.”

Concerns have been raised by the Unite union over the timing of the release of the strategy, to run until 2025, with call for more urgency due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic on the aviation workforce.

A parliamentary debate on the aviation sector is due to be held tomorrow (Thursday).

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