WHILE we are unable to physically gather together as a trade union movement in Llandudno for the Wales TUC Congress, I am sure that our “Virtual Congress” will be one of the most interesting and important trade union gatherings in Wales for decades.

The past year has changed the world and changed Wales. Over 5,500 Welsh people have tragically lost their lives to the virus, devastating families and communities. 

Without our Welsh NHS and the heroes who work within it, thousands more would have succumbed to the virus. 

If the pandemic has done one thing, it is to cement the NHS as the most loved and important institution in our country.

During congress this week we will rightly pay tribute to our NHS staff and reiterate our calls for a substantial pay rise for them — Unite is calling for 15 per cent. 

Congress will also discuss the grave economic consequences that the pandemic has had for Welsh workers. 

Our manufacturing sector has been hit extremely hard and Unite will use congress to focus on the enormous challenges facing our aerospace sector. 

With 23,000 Welsh workers employed in aerospace, it cannot be underestimated how important the sector is to the Welsh economy and our future prosperity. 

Brexit and the onset of Covid-19 have shaken the aerospace sector to its foundations. 

The huge reduction in air travel has come with reductions in orders for our major employers.  

As a consequence news of job losses has been both regular and devastating. 

Airbus, GE and Magellan have all lost large chunks of their workforce — Airbus alone shedding 1,400 jobs. 

With production levels unlikely to recover until 2025 at the earliest, the challenge to maintain Wales strength in the aerospace sector against very strong global competition, is one we as a movement must step up to.

Government support is essential. Sadly but not unsurprisingly the Westminster government has done little to help. 

This is in stark contrast to continental Europe where our members have looked on in envy, as governments in both France and Germany have put together enormous financial support packages to support key employers and save jobs. 
 
It is against this backdrop that our local Unite leaders in Wales have had to innovate and make tough decisions. 

Our Unite team at Airbus negotiated a landmark shorter working week with Airbus to avoid compulsory redundancies. 

This deal which meant a reduction in income for our members was overwhelmingly accepted in a workplace ballot. 

Workers selflessly accepted the deal to ensure the jobs of their comrades were secured. 

That is an inspirational example of grassroots trade union leadership and solidarity in the workplace.
 
While we continue to call upon the Westminster government to provide financial support, our motion to congress calls for increased Welsh government funding for research and development in the aerospace sector. 

Research and development anchors employers into their locations and helps secure future investment.
 
There are reasons to be optimistic that Wales can bounce back from Covid-19. 

Prime among these is the fact that Wales has resoundingly endorsed Welsh Labour and the leadership of Mark Drakeford in the recent Senedd elections. 

Wales will have a Labour government for the next five years that understands the concerns of working people and trade union members. 

By increasing Labour’s vote share in Wales, the people have given a huge endorsement to the policy of social partnership that Welsh Labour has developed. 
 
Government, working together with the trade union movement to navigate a roadmap to recovery, is the only viable way in which Wales can rebuild and strengthen its NHS and deliver economic prosperity for all.

Peter Hughes is regional secretary for Unite Wales.