Last week the GMB accused Rio Tinto bosses of not doing enough to keep the smelter open, claiming they had rejected one offer because they felt it was not financially viable, while interest from other parties had failed to progress even to talks.
The union wants the company to provide the names of possible interested parties, to see if the Government could help keep open the site.
Yesterday Keir Howe, northern regional organiser with the GMB, said the SOS campaign and petition would aim to show the strength of public feeling about the need to keep the smelter open.
She said: “The Government must step in and help save this site in order to safeguard the jobs of 512 direct workers, 320 contractors and up to 3,000 jobs in the supply chain. If the smelter closes the whole of Northumberland will feel the impact, from the workers and contractors to the shops and businesses where the workforce spend their wages.”
Mr Lavery, who will meet Mr Huhne on Wednesday, said: “I believe this campaign is much needed, but I am not sure if Rio Tinto Alcan are listening. We need to do everything we can to keep Alcan in operation, if not under Rio Tinto then with another party.
“When I meet Chris Huhne this week I will be telling him the situation as I see it, and asking him what the Government can do, if anything, to ensure that Alcan continues to operate as a viable concern and maintaining the jobs we have got now. The Government has an important role to play here, so let’s hear from Mr Huhne what they can put on the table to save this major employer.
“It looks as though Rio Tinto have no intention whatsoever of keeping the place open. I find the situation bizarre when Lynemouth is making money, has full order books when and everything seems positive.
“They should come out and say who the interested parties are, and let the Government, the unions and myself speak to these people. Rio Tinto seem to have no interest at all in giving me this information.”
Last week Rio Tinto said the current 90-day consultation process is intended to explore all options for avoiding job losses, and the establishment of fair and objective mechanisms for selection criteria for redundancy.
A spokesman said: “If credible interest in the smelter emerges during this period then we will of course look into it, as it is clearly preferable to sell rather than close the plant.”
豫公网安备41010502003434号