GMB calls for British Gas action
GMB calls on David Cameron to keep his promise to help save over 680 British Gas jobs at Oldbury, West Midlands before time runs out
The clock is ticking and David Cameron must instruct his ministers to get this taskforce underway immediately or it will be too late says GMB.
On 20 April, British Gas announced plans to close its office at Oldbury in the West Midlands with the loss of over 680 jobs. During Prime Ministers Questions on the same day, David Cameron said he would set up a ministerial taskforce to try to save the jobs. However, nothing has happened and GMB, which represents 500 of the staff at Oldbury, expressed the disappointment and frustration of the staff. (See notes to editors for GMB press releases about job losses at British Gas).
Stuart Fegan, GMB National Officer, said "Our members at Oldbury were devastated by British Gas' shock announcement but thought they had been thrown a lifeline when the Prime Minister intervened. Despite his personal commitment that a ministerial taskforce would be set up to look at trying to save the jobs absolutely nothing has happened at all.
GMB wrote to the business secretary Sajid Javid asking to be involved in the taskforce but we are disappointed that we have had no reply. The trouble is that British Gas has only allowed 45 days for consultation before these job losses become finalised and nearly a week has gone with no action from government. The clock is ticking and GMB urges David Cameron to instruct his ministers to get this taskforce underway immediately or it will be too late."
