Motion no: 31
Conference calls for Stormont to adopt an active industry policy for shipbuilding and aerospace sectors
As part of Boeing’s acquisition of Spirit Aerosystems, Airbus will buy the formerly Shorts operations in Northern Ireland in its own supply chain; however, this provides no security to the approximately 2,500 employed in the remainder of production here. There is a real risk that splitting operations will result in significant job losses. Furthermore, the division of production will impact economies of scale and the integrated nature of operations and raise a longer-term threat to production.
Likewise, the recent financial crisis at Harland and Wolff threatens the livelihoods of 650 employees and 179 apprentices in the shipyard. Despite winning the £1.6 billion Fleet Solid Support Ship contract, the parent company entered administration and Unite the union and GMB are calling for direct government intervention which must secure continuity of employment for the entire workforce in the event that a repudiable buyer with credible Shipbuilding credentials has not come forward.
Conference recognises that the absence of an active and interventionist industry policy by Stormont leaves shipbuilding and aerospace workers exposed to the contingencies of private equity companies and the prerogatives of profit. The failure to bring forward investment and to develop the industrial skills base means opportunities for growth through diversifying into socially-beneficial production in maritime shipbuilding, aerospace or the renewable energy sectors are being missed.
Conference calls on the Northern Ireland Executive to bring forward an active industrial policy, in particular for the threatened aerospace and shipbuilding sectors. Stormont must back the unions’ campaigns for job security, continuity of employment, investment in industrial skills and a future for our heavy industry sectors – and publicly demand the transfer of all Spirit (Shorts) production to a single operator and the transfer of Harland & Wolff to a credible new owner as a going concern.
