publication date: Apr 18, 2012
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author/source: Unite
Unite, the UK's largest union, has welcomed the news from
pharmaceutical giant, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) today (Thursday, 22 March) that it
will invest £500m at its various manufacturing sites across the UK, creating
1,000 new jobs.
However, the union is calling on the government to
produce a strategic manufacturing strategy that supports the UK's
manufacturing.
Unite national officer, Linda McCulloch, said: "This is
welcome news and a big thumbs up for the UK manufacturing, pharmaceutical and
construction sectors.
"This investment is fantastic for the North West, where
the new facility will be built. It will create much needed employment
opportunities in the area and will safeguard hundreds of skilled jobs.
"However, the pharmaceutical industry has seen a lot of
uncertainty with over 10,000 jobs lost in the past five years.
"This investment is testament to the skills of UK
workers. These dedicated workers thoroughly deserve this investment and the
long term security of employment this brings.
"But, more needs to be done. We need to invest in the
UK's manufacturing skills base for the future. Once again, we call on the
government to invest in the UK's manufacturing skills base with a long-term
solution."
GSK has confirmed it will investment £100m at the
company's manufacturing sites in Montrose and Irvine in Scotland. A further
£80m will be invested at its sites in Ware, Hertfordshire and Barnard Castle in
County Durham.
The company has also announced Cumbria as the chosen
location for its first new manufacturing facility to be built in the UK in
almost 40 years. In total, it is anticipated this investment will create up to
1,000 new jobs over the lifetime of the projects.
Unite has recently published its manufacturing strategy,
2020 Vision, which calls for the need for a strong and robust manufacturing
base which uses the latest technology, invests in the future, invests in
apprenticeships and skills in order to avoid skill shortages and create a
successful and balanced economy.
Unite's 2020 Vision is available to download
click here
Unite has proposed the ten pillars upon which
manufacturing should be based which are:
1. Build a
framework of policies to defend strategically important industries.
2. Continued
financial support through interventionist policies.
3. Targeted
support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
4. Better use of
government purchasing power to secure manufacturing jobs in the UK.
5. Maximising the
opportunities that the low carbon revolution offers.
6. Delivery of an
education and skills framework which meets all industry's needs.
7. Creating a
university structure which builds on the science base so necessary to secure
high skilled jobs.
8. Create right
investment environment for Research and Development.
9. Creation of a
level playing field to deliver security and fair pricing for energy.
10. A framework of
legislation which promotes transparency and engagement for all stakeholders in
the future of manufacturing.