Ford must not be let off the hook


Unions have said that Ford should not be allowed to “tiptoe away” following the announcement that it is to close its Bridgend engine plant in 2020 with the loss of 1,700 jobs. 


The car manufacturer said Brexit was not a factor in its decision and instead pointed the finger at the phasing out of one engine model, the end of the Jaguar Land Rover contract and a decline in the demand for the new three-cylinder engine.


Mike Payne, GMB senior organiser, said: “The company must not be allowed to tiptoe away from Bridgend leaving a decimated community in its wake.”


Meanwhile a consultative ballot held by Unite delivered an overwhelming mandate for the union to fight for the future of the plant. Over fourth-fifths (83%) of those who voted — more than 1,000 members — have indicated that they would be prepared to fight the plant closure proposals, through industrial action if necessary. 


Peter Hughes, Unite Wales regional secretary, said: “Ford must now acknowledge that its strategy to exit Bridgend does not have the confidence of the workforce. On a wider level the company must also acknowledge the overwhelming anger expressed by the Welsh public and from politicians from across the political spectrum.”

https://www.gmb.org.uk/news/ford-must-not-be-allowed-tiptoe-away-bidgend

https://unitetheunion.org/news-events/news/2019/june/ford-bridgend-workforce-vote-overwhelmingly-to-fight-closure-plan