Remploy Workers Protest Outside Parliament

A couple of hundred Remploy workers and supporters marched from Caxton Hall in Westminster to a rally in Old Palace Yard opposite the Houses of Parliament. Remploy workers including Julie Haynes and Ray Ludford spoke passionately on the importance of retaining Remploy factories and the issue of choice for disabled Workers.

Gail Cartmail, a Unite Assistant General Secretary, pledged the union's full support in the fight to keep the factories open. Gail stated: “Our members feel outrage that the government could take jobs from disabled people in this current climate. How are they expected to find work when there are 2.65 million people in the queue in front of them?"

Seán McGovern speaking to rally on 20th April 2012

Finally, Seán McGovern, Disability Delegate to the Unite Executive Council, Remploy Branch Secretary and ex-Remploy worker, spoke. Seán reminded the rally that a 24-hour vigil held but a few yards along the road stopped a planned closure of Remploy factories back in February 2000; and that we must use all the resources we had to ensure we stop today's proposed closures.