Unite Champions’ cup launched at Windsor Park by tournament ambassador Pat Jennings

Posted on October 17, 2019 by

Launch cupOctober 17th: The Unite the union Cross-border Champions’ Cup was launched at Windsor Park, home of Northern Ireland football, today.

One third of the funding for the Champions’ cup is ring-fenced for local and sporting organisations and initiatives.

Speaking for his union at the launch, Unite Regional Secretary Jackie Pollock thanked the union’s General Secretary Len McCluskey for his strong support for the initiative and expressed his hopes that as well as two exciting sporting fixtures, the Champions’ cup would encourage link ups between the union and local community and voluntary groups through the medium of sport.

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Workers jubilant after announcement that sale in principal agreed for Wrightbus confirming hundreds of jobs will be safeguarded

Posted on October 11, 2019 by

Unite logo white out of redResult was only achieved through mobilisation of workforce who never let up in their efforts

Unite to continue campaigning to maximise jobs safeguarded, pay and terms and conditions

October 11th: Unite regional officer for Wrightbus George Brash welcomed news that Banford (Ryse) had agreed in principal to buy the company potentially safeguarding hundreds of jobs. Continue reading →

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Jeff Wright must adopt a rational approach in negotiations to safeguard his family’s legacy

Posted on October 10, 2019 by
Unite 041Likelihood is that if jobs go, Wright name will become synonymous with collapse of manufacturing in Ballymena
 
Incoming Chief Executive of Invest NI Kevin Holland must intervene and provide full start-up supports to Wrightbus
 
Unite Regional Coordinating Officer, Davy Thompson challenged Jeff Wright to end his unrealistic and destructive demands and put the interests of his workforce and the wider community in Ballymena first.
 
“It is our understanding that the offer put forward by Ryse (Bamford) remains open and on the table if the current landowner is willing to do a deal.
“This ongoing saga surrounding the sale of Wrightbus will come to a catastrophic conclusion for workers and the economy of north Antrim unless rational thinking overtakes personal gain. The big question now is whether Jeff Wright is prepared to put his father’s legacy and reputation amongst the people of Ballymena at risk.

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Wrightbus workers await their fate in the rain as horse-trading over sale continues

Posted on October 10, 2019 by

Unite logo white out of red

Unite the union has received no response to request to meet with former Wrightbus owner Jeff Wright

Conflicting reports leave workers standing at factory gates bewildered about their future

October 10th: Unite Regional Officer for Wrightbus, George Brash, challenged both sides in the ongoing negotiations surrounding the sale of the stricken bus builder to move quickly to reach an agreement that would safeguard the livelihoods of the workers.

“This morning hundreds of Wrightbus workers and their families are standing in the rain outside the factory gates. They are standing in the hope they will hear that a deal has been done that will guarantee their jobs.

“These are workers who are already having difficult conversations with their children about what Christmas will bring.

“As these negotiations are being dragged out by horse-trading, the feeling of indignation among these workers, whose sole objective is to get back to work, is rising.

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Jeff Wright has chance to safeguard livelihoods of the Wrightbus workers through eleventh hour intervention

Posted on October 9, 2019 by
wrightbus workers
Deadline for resolution of land issue now is 10am tomorrow morning [October 10th] 
 
Increasing numbers of workers now face prospect of going to food banks after two weeks without work
 
Unite Regional Officer for Wrightbus, George Brash, urged Jeff Wright to urgently resolve the issue of land ownership currently standing in the way of a sale of Wrightbus by the administrator
 
“We understand that the deadline to resolve the current impasse over the site ownership at Wrightbus is now set for 10am tomorrow morning. The issue of the land is now the only barrier to a sale that will safeguard the jobs and livelihoods of this workforce.
 
“But this is not just about the jobs of the workers, the wages they bring home to their families sustains thousands of jobs elsewhere in Ballymena and further afield. This is a fight to save the wider Ballymena economy which has withstood the impact of the loss of Patton group, JTI-Gallaher, Michelin and other companies in recent years. We can’t afford to see these jobs go.

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