A round-robin memo was sent out by the company to staff last Tuesday by the company’s chairman, John Whittaker, asking Peel’s workforce for ‘assistance’ in gaining support for the project.
The e-mail goes on to explain how staff can tailor a ‘bespoke letter, quickly and easily’, using a specially developed website letter writing tool.
While the Breathe Clean Air protest group has accused Peel, which employs 5,000 people, of resorting to ‘desperate’ tactics to drum up support for their application, management have defended the move.
“It’s perfectly normal for any company to ask their employees to offer support for proposed new schemes,” said Peel Energy project director Jon England. “As valued stakeholders, we think it is important that employees should have the opportunity to back Peel’s plans.”
Last week Messenger revealed how 1,461 people had written to the council in opposition to Peel’s plans, with a further 4,600 signature petition against. By comparison Peel had 64 letters of support as of last week.
A spokesman for BCAG told Messenger: “The local community have made a huge effort to stand together and voice their opinion. Peel should respect this, rather than resorting to desperate measures to boost their figures.
“The fact that they feel this action is necessary highlights the lack of genuine local support for this polluting plant.”
source: messenger
