Once again all 54 Remploy factories are under
threat of closure when current public funding ends in April 2013.
Closing Remploy is the aim of conflicted axe grinders who want the
funding for themselves. Another threat is that the factories are
rendered less economic being only 50% loaded because public bodies
have failed to support them with work as allowed under EU
rules.
It would cost Treasury less to keep the
factories operating fully loaded rather than putting the workers
out of work on welfare. The majority of Remploy workers who lost
their jobs in 2008 are still on welfare 3 years later.
The crucial campaign objective is to get the
loading up to 100% and to keep these factories open.
These factories have a successful track record
going back to 1946 till the public authorities stopped loading them
with work in 1990s due to then EU directive. The EU rules have been
changed and the factories can be successful again when they are
fully loaded. Making uniforms for the armed forces, emergency
services and medical staff, and supplying schools would more than
keep them busy.
Remploy workers want help to get their
factories fully loaded. GMB will shortly publish the list of all
public bodies that are not now supporting Remploy with work. You
can help if you are involved with any of these bodies or can
lobby MPs, councilors and others to get them to place work with
Remploy.
Therefore I am
asking you to sign the online
petition urging The Right Honourable David Cameron Prime
Minister to stop the closure of Remploy Factories and the
privatisation of Remploy Employment Services.
Yours fraternally
Phil Davies
GMB National Secretary
On Behalf of the Consortium of Trade Unions and
thousands of Remploy disabled workers