Brexit is a real threat to the European aerospace sector. More than one million parts cross the British Channel every year during the assembly of an aircraft. If the UK isn’t in the Customs Union or the Single Market, the time and money that these transactions would cost companies would be incredible. The sector is already under a huge amount of pressure from global competition and extra administrative costs will only benefit companies not based in the EU.

With Brexit talks on a transition deal underway and discussions expected to start in March on a future UK/EU27 deal, time really is of the essence in obtaining the best deal for workers both in the UK and across Europe.
IndustriAll Europe is calling for the UK to have continued access to the Single Market and the Customs Union, continued membership to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), freedom of movement for workers and the continued participation in joint R&D programmes, European Works Councils and Social Dialogue Committees.

Luc Triangle, General Secretary for industriAll Europe, said: “Brexit is a real threat to the European aerospace sector. More than one million parts cross the British Channel every year during the assembly of an aircraft. If the UK isn’t in the Customs Union or the Single Market, the time and money that these transactions would cost companies would be incredible. The sector is already under a huge amount of pressure from global competition and extra administrative costs will only benefit companies not based in the EU.

‘’IndustriAll Europe is working with our members to raise our concerns for workers on both sides of the Channel and we have met with MEPs, national governments and the European Commission’s Article 50 Taskforce team to stress the importance of protecting European jobs in this sector. We will continue to fight to protect every job both in the UK and across Europe.’’

Ian Waddell, Chair of industriAll Europe’s Aerospace Network, added:‘’IndustriAll Europe’s Aerospace Network is determined to safeguard employment and the competitiveness of the European aerospace sector. The UK is a major pillar for this sector and provides more than 340,000 direct jobs while supporting many more."  We cannot allow the UK government to use Brexit as an excuse for a race to the bottom to attract inward investment at the expense of workers’ wages and terms and conditions. Currently, many UK rights are derived from EU Directives and we are insisting that these rights are upheld. ‘’This position paper clearly outlines the key demands that we have as trade unionists to protect the European aerospace industry and in turn jobs both in the UK and across Europe. We will continue to fight for the best Brexit deal for workers.’’

IndustriAll Europe’s Brexit position paper for the aerospace sector can be found HERE.