Unions to picket Peugeot dealerships in protest against
plant closure
14 July 2006
Thousands of union activists are to picket
Peugeot and Citroën dealerships across the UK this Saturday (15
July) to protest against the planned closure of the company’s Ryton
plant in Coventry and the loss of 2,300 jobs.
Amicus and the T&G are coordinating protests outside
selected UK Peugeot and Citroën franchises to encourage people not
to buy the company’s cars. Unions want to build pressure on the
company via its dealerships and consumers to reverse its decision
to close the UK plant and move production to low wage
Slovakia.
The unions are also funding a million pound poster and
newspaper advertising campaign asking people to boycott Peugeot
cars in favour of cars built here in the UK.
Amicus’ General Secretary, Derek Simpson, said: “This is a
wake up call for the company - they are jeopardising their sales
and their reputation by pushing ahead with their plans to close
Ryton.
“We believe that consumers will want to punish them for their
decision to close their profitable and productive UK site and
consign 2,300 workers to the dole. Peugeot depend on UK sales so
they have to show a commitment to UK workers.
“Our campaign should serve as a warning to other companies
too. We will attack them in the same way if they decide to abandon
their UK bases and workforces.”
Tony Woodley, General Secretary for the T&G, said: Tony
Woodley said: “Peugeot and Citroën customers need to know they are
supporting a company which wants to close a profitable and
productive factory and sack British workers. The company says it
doesn’t matter where cars are made but we believe if the public
knows what this company is doing, it will matter.
“These cars are being tainted by a company that talks
economics but practises greed. Peugeot Citroën is cynically
exploiting UK customers by wanting to cut labour costs by around
75% but not passing any savings on.
“So, before you add to Peugeot Citroën’s profits, think of
Ryton workers and then think again.”
- More -
Amicus and the T&G have presented Peugeot with a survival
plan they say can save Ryton. The unions say they believe that the
company has already made up its mind and plans to close the plant
even earlier than the summer 2007 close date it originally
gave.
– Ends -
For further information please contact Ciaran Naidoo in the
Amicus press office on 020 7 420 8931 or 07768 931 315 or Andrew
Dodgshon in the T&G press office on 020 7611 2550 or 07976 832
156 or Claire Ainsley on 07976 832 169
