2009 News Archive

Socialists were out in Coventry today campaigning against the closure of the Ericsson Research and Development facility at Ansty, which will mean the loss of at least 700 jobs.

 

Coventry has already seen a complete decimation of its manufacturing jobs with the closure of Massey Fergusons and Peugeot, to name just 2 major employers in the city. If 700 highly skilled jobs disappear it will be a further blow to the city and the wider area.

 

This is recognised by the people of Coventry, in the last few weeks hundreds of ordinary people have signed the petition which demands 'government action to defend the jobs of these skilled manufacturing workers and to provide a future for our youth.' As the petition also says ' we the undersigned, note with increasing anger the billions the Government has spent stabilising the banks - yet it stands idly by whilst the another essential manufacturing concern leaves the country.' 

 

Councillor Rob Windsor who represents the St Michaels ward of the city, was one of those collecting signatures, 'Its simple really, the government should step in and nationalise Ericsson, bringing it under public ownership - why is that the bankers with their obscene bonuses get bailed out but when workers are losing their jobs New Labour doesn't want to know. How about a bail out for ordinary people, not the bankers?'

 

You can help the campaign by collecting names on the petition from friends and workmates,  and returning them to Cllr Dave Nellist, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry, CV1 5RR

 

To get a copy of the petition, contact us here