Campaigners call for urgent intervention to support airport workers following Leeds Bradford Airport job cuts

Campaigners are calling for urgent intervention to support airport workers after job cuts were confirmed at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA).
Leeds Bradford Airport announced yesterday that it plans to cut 107 full-time positionsLeeds Bradford Airport announced yesterday that it plans to cut 107 full-time positions
Leeds Bradford Airport announced yesterday that it plans to cut 107 full-time positions

The airport announced yesterday that it plans to cut 107 full-time positions, setting up redundancy consultations with 158 members of staff.

LBA said the cuts were necessary for the business to survive the short-term financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

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It said the jobs cuts are separate to its "long-term aspirations" for the airport, which is set for a £150m expansion.

The airport is set for a £150m expansionThe airport is set for a £150m expansion
The airport is set for a £150m expansion

Now campaigners are calling on local authorities to help workers find jobs outside the aviation industry.

The Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) opposes the airport expansion and called on the Government and Leeds City Council to help workers made redundant move into "safe and sustainable jobs".

The council said it is doing "everything it can" to support businesses across Leeds and said it has helped 1,788 people to find work across different sectors during the pandemic.

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GALBA's chairman, Chris Foren, said: "It’s obvious that Covid has changed the way people travel and do business. It’s also obvious that we need a green economic recovery from the Covid crisis.

"So let’s help people who are losing their jobs at the airport move into new, safe and sustainable jobs. Now is the time to help people switch into jobs with a future, for the future."

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: "We are always saddened to hear about the loss of people’s livelihoods.

"As a council we are doing everything we can to support businesses across Leeds at this difficult time. The pressures of coronavirus are continuing to have a significant and negative impact on services and industries in many sectors, including aviation.

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"As a city and council we remain committed to working with and offering our assistance to staff, businesses and organisations during these challenging times. Since April this year, the council has supported 1,788 people to secure work across all sectors.

"Working with over 130 businesses, the council has supported businesses to recruit new staff or support individuals within those businesses to find training or alternative work if they face redundancy."

Calls for financial package for aviation industry

A trade union has criticised the Government for ending the furlough scheme at the "peak of the crisis" for the aviation sector and has urged ministers to deliver a tailored financial package for the industry.

Responding to news of job cuts at LBA, GMB Union organiser, Rachel Dix, said: "The lack of flights today mirrors the limited movement of passengers in March of this year.

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“We have come full circle, back to the peak of the crisis in aviation but now, from the end of this month, there is no furlough to support airport staff and the Job Support Scheme is not fit for purpose.

“GMB has been calling on the Government to deliver a bespoke financial package for the aviation sector from day one. Seven months on and they are still sitting on their hands.

“We will work closely with the airport and our members to do all we can to save every hour of employment possible, but the Government has to step up and work with us to protect these jobs now."

A Treasury spokesman said: “The furlough scheme has done what it was designed to do – save jobs and help people back into employment.

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“And many of our unprecedented interventions – including the Job Retention Bonus, business rates holidays, VAT cuts and the Kickstart Scheme – will ensure this support continues into next year.

“We’ve not hesitated to act in creative and effective ways to support jobs and we will continue to do so as we recover from this crisis.

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