Recruiters have been addressing the issues surrounding the Transport and General Workers Union’s announcement that it is to step up recruitment in the aviation and logistics sectors, with focus on contractors.

Chester Boothe, a director with aviation specialist Jonathan Lee Recruitment, based in the West Midlands, says that unions have become more aware of what the staffing needs of a company are and that the days of ‘Red Robbo’ (1970s union leader Derek Robinson) are over.

Boothe told Recruiter: “The unions are very strong in aviation but they have become more commercially-savvy. They understand the impact their decision-making can have on a business. The days of ‘Red Robbo’ are over.”

Boothe pointed out that, whereas in the past contractors were usually first in line for redundancies, now unions had a greater understanding of the need for a flexible workforce.

* For more reaction see Recruiter 18 April