Unite has written to invite local political representatives from all parties to attend public meetings in Larne (Thursday 21st April) and Ballymena (Wednesday 27th April)
Meetings will be chaired by high profile UTV business editor, Jamie Delargy
April 5th: Announcing his union’s latest initiative in its Campaign for a Future, deputy Regional Secretary for Ireland, Jackie Pollock, has confirmed that Unite will be hosting public meetings in Larne and Ballymena at which local political representatives will be grilled on the actions they plan to take for job creation in the area:
“Ballymena and Larne have been disproportionately hit by devastating job loss announcements over the last eighteen months. So far, unfortunately, the response from our political leaders has been completely inadequate – indeed, Invest NI publicly admitted that they were no longer actively seeking foreign-direct investment in manufacturing anywhere in Northern Ireland. What hope does this offer our members for a future?
“These public meetings are the logical ‘next-step’ in our continued campaign to secure quality jobs for this area. They build on our hugely successful Rally For a Future in Ballymena on February 6th – an initiative that secured support across the local community and endorsement from stars such as James Nesbitt and Liam Neeson.
“Everyone knows that politicians are most likely to listen and to commit themselves to taking real action in the run-up to an election. This is an opportunity for local workers, residents and concerned citizens to demand answers to the big questions from all those seeking election. To ask them on just what will they do to reverse the current course.
“We are happy to confirm that UTV business editor, Jamie Delargy, the man who covered many of the recent closure announcements and the crisis in our manufacturing sector, has agreed to act as chair of both public meetings. We have written to the local political representatives seeking election in the upcoming Assembly elections and expect to see them in attendance to answer the questions direct from the public”, Mr Pollock concluded.
Notes:
- The meetings will be held in Town Hall, Larne at 7.30pm on Thursday April 21st and at the Braid (Town Hall) Ballymena at 7.30pm on Wednesday April 27th
Unite the Union, Ireland Region 