As a local trade unionist I must add a couple of comments to the view on the closure of Terry's given by Paul Jagger of the regional TUC ('Future for York after Terry's goes', June 23).

Paul is, of course, right and speaks for all trade unionists in calling for improved legislation to protect staff from dismissal.

But I was disappointed by his claim that the outsourcing of manufacturing jobs is inevitable; seeming to imply that all we can do is manage the decline.

The reality is that jobs go abroad only because corporations can get away with outrageously low wages and often appalling working conditions in developing countries.

I, and many other trade unionists, believe this can be changed by supporting improved union rights and organisation in the developing countries themselves, leading to more equal wages and conditions.

This would stop the corporations from playing us off against each other in this way. Strong unions working together could set minimum wages and conditions across the world and present a united front to the profiteers.

It is in all our interests to give what support we can to workers in other countries trying to organise.

Ben Drake,

Danum Road, Fulford.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, June 25, 2004