LDV: Unite calls for just £4 million state help to save plant and
jobs
29th April 2009
Following the news today that Midlands-based van manufacturer
LDV will go into administration on May 6th with the loss of around
900 jobs directly and thousands more in the wider supply chain,
Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite said: "Two months
ago I warned that without rapid intervention to support LDV while
it sought a new buyer, the company would collapse.
"Unless the government acts to provide a small but vital aid
package of just £4 million, barely a year's bonus for a bailed-out
banker, then LDV will go into administration on May 6th - and take
with it thousands of jobs in our manufacturing heartland.
Once gone, these jobs will be gone forever.
"This does not need to happen. There is a serious and interested
buyer for this company, Westar, one who would keep these jobs in
this country. This buyer is going through the process of due
diligence presently, so all that we ask is that the government
supports this with £4 million in financial assistance while the
company completes due diligence.
"With so many skilled jobs at risk and with a genuine
possibility of a buyer, if this company goes to the wall for the
want of a relatively small amount money, then it would be
criminal.
"BERR and the government promised that they would support "green
jobs". LDV's future is based on becoming the first producer of
hybrid vans in Europe so this is clearly worthy of support.
"While the measure of assistance to LDV that government has
given so far has been fully appreciated, there must be no
dilly-dallying, no dithering but instead immediate action to keep
these jobs and skills alive."
ENDS
For further information, please contact Pauline Doyle on 07976
832 861
Unite for Jobs
On 16th May 2009,
Unite will hold a march through Birmingham. This will be the
centrepiece of the 'Unite for Jobs' campaign. The march for jobs
will spotlight the need for urgent assistance to defend jobs.
To see what the Unite for Jobs demands are or for information on
the march visit: http://action.unitetheunion.org
Email to a friend
