Unions to challenge Ford

Jaguar trade unions have vowed to continue their challenge to their employer, Ford, over breach of agreements, despite the 55% to 45% vote against industrial action by members at the threatened Browns Lane factory in Coventry.

A joint union campaign was set up last year to oppose the end of car production at the plant, which is the historic home of Jaguar cars. The unions argue that Ford made the closure announcement without any consultation, in breach of an agreement saying that the West Midlands Jaguar plants were safe.

Dave Osborne, the T&G's national secretary for the car industry, acknowledged that members were under pressure from the company to accept voluntary severance.

But he insisted that the issue of breach of agreements "remains a shadow hanging over British industry".