Unite's reaction the union's meeting with Ford to discuss the
future of Ford's Southampton plant
15 September 2008
Unite has met with senior executives from Ford Europe today to
discuss future investments into Ford's Southampton plant.
Whilst there was no final outcome, Ford have proposed
implementing a chassis cab operation at the site. Unite the union
has made clear its opposition to these proposals, as the union
believes these plans would lead to the closure of Southampton in
the long term, as well as having major implications for other UK
plants.
Unite national officer, Dave Osborne, says: “Unless Southampton
and the future of other Ford UK plants are secured, there will be
no recommendation for settlement in the forthcoming pay
negotiations. Securing investment and the future of our members'
jobs is of paramount importance for Unite. Failure to agree such
security will create a major stumbling block.
“Ford understand the cost of everything and the value of
nothing. In 2001 the company made a clear public commitment to
vehicle assembly operations in the UK. Our members have made major
sacrifices and have continued to deliver major improvements in
efficiencies and cost reductions.
“Europe has been Ford's saving grace and the UK is Ford's
biggest European market. If Ford can invest $653 million in a plant
in Romania then Unite believe that Ford can invest $200 million
dollars in the UK.
"Ford’s proposals are a direct contradiction to the guarantees
they have made to the UK and to the practice of locating where they
sell. Southampton needs approximately $200million for its future to
be secure. Yet the equivalent of well over half of this money has
been given to 7 of Ford’s top executives in the last 2 years. It is
unacceptable that the future of hundreds of Ford workers in the UK
is put at risk because of excessive corporate greed.”
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
