A socially distanced walk and rally for jobs has been held in Caerphilly to show support for the workers at General Electric (Aviation) who are facing redundancy.

General Electric (Aviation) at Nantgarw services aircraft engines.  369 redundancies have recently been announced.  This follows a voluntary redundancy programme.

The walk and rally was organised by Unite the Union and Caerphilly Trades Council.  The walk took place from Crescent Road, immediately to the west of Caerphilly Castle, and following this a socially distanced rally was held.

Unite the Union is calling upon the UK Government to bring forward comprehensive support for the aviation sector.  This would avoid redundancies and ensure that the industry is able to respond to an upturn in international air travel.

Speakers at the rally included Wayne David MP, Hefin David MS, Alex Davies-Jones MP, Mick Antoniw MS, Nia Griffith MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, and the leader of Caerphilly County Borough Council, Phillipa Marsden.  There were also contributions from trade union representatives.

Wayne David, MP for Caerphilly, said, “In Nantgarw GE (Aviation) employs highly skilled workers on good wages.  This is one of the most important employers in the whole of South Wales and the loss of 369 jobs would be a body blow for the local and regional economy.  It would also be devastating for those workers and their families. The maximum pressure must be put on the UK Government to save these jobs and support the aviation sector.”