Northern TUC welcomes Hitachi contract for North east workers and economy

date: 18 July 2013

embargo: for immediate release

Northern TUC welcomes Hitachi contract

for north east workers and economy

The Northern TUC welcomes the news that Hitachi has been awarded an additional £1.2bn contract to manufacture a further 270 carriages at their Newton Aycliffe site. This will safeguard 730 new jobs until 2019 and will boost confidence within the supply chain.

Beth Farhat, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said: 'This is fantastic news because it will not only safeguard hundreds of jobs but will bring a much needed boost to the region. The North East must respond by ensuring people have the right skills to meet the growing demands and opportunities within manufacturing.

'These high skilled and well-paid jobs are exactly what we need in order to get the economy moving again and I hope that many young people and local businesses will benefit from this announcement.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- Northern TUC press releases www.tuc.org.uk/northern national releases www.tuc.org.uk and www.twitter.com/tucnews

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- For TUC advice and information on the world of work www.workSMART.org.uk

Media contacts:

Beth Farhat, Regional Secretary, Northern TUC

E: bfarhat@tuc.org.uk T: 07747636408