Prospect joins travel day of action

Prospect has joined the Travel Day of Action across the country calling on the government to do much more to support members in the aviation sector.

As a result of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the sector remains largely closed, putting thousands of highly skilled jobs at risk.

Organisers and supporters of the cross-industry day of action include ABTA, Airlines UK, the Airport Operators Association, BAR UK, UKinbound, the Business Travel Association, IATA, Advantage Travel Partnership and the wider industry under the umbrella Save Future Travel Coalition, alongside unions GMB, Unite, BALPA and Prospect.

Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said:

“While thankfully many of us are getting back to a relative degree of normality in our lives, the aviation sector is still shut, and it has dire consequences for the people employed there and the broader economic health of this country.

“Now, we’ve always argued that whilst the sector is necessarily closed, the government has a responsibility to support it. This isn’t just about leisure. It’s about uniting families and it’s about international trade.

“The government needs to do more, and it needs to do it now. We need to ensure that there is an extension of furlough. And as it hopefully becomes safe to travel, we need more countries to go onto the green list.”

“Government must not ignore aviation.”

Garry Graham, Prospect Deputy General Secretary, said:

“The aviation industry faces an existential challenge. It’s absolutely crucial that it keeps the skills that it needs for the future so we can all travel safely.

“It’s also really important that we observe our climate change obligations, and we build aviation both in a safe way, but in a way that’s sustainable for the environment.

“The government needs to step up to the plate and provide the industry with the support that it needs to retain the skills it needs so we can all travel safely.”

Frances O’Grady, TUC General Secretary, said:  

“We all want to beat Covid once and for all and recognise the need to restrict people coming in and out of the UK.

“But these ongoing travel restrictions are hammering our aviation sector.

“The government must step in and do whatever it takes to help the industry through this difficult period.

“That means continuing furlough for as long as necessary. And giving employers certainty support will be put in place now so they don’t start issuing redundancy notices in anticipation of the job retention scheme closing.

“Ministers must also ensure that funding is used to protect jobs and prevent attacks on terms and conditions.

“If the government fails to act quickly we could see the loss of tens of thousands of jobs from of a vital sector that supports national and regional economies.”