Unions welcome Government intervention in Jaguar dispute

Thursday, 30 September 2004 12:00 AM

The Jaguar workers have welcomed backing from the "highest level of Government" in their dispute with Ford over the closure of Browns Lane.

The plant closure has been a high profile issue at this week's Labour conference with John Prescott and Patricia Hewitt just two Ministers to voice their support for the workers. In addition, the conference passed unanimously an emergency motion on support for the workers.

Now, the Chancellor Gordon Brown and the Prime Minister Tony Blair have intervened personally.

After private meetings with the three unions represented at the plant - Amicus, the TGWU and the GMB - the unions said the Prime Minister has agreed to personally speak to Ford about his concerns.

Unions warn that 1150 jobs could be lost in the move and are concerned that it could be a start of an attempt to end production in the UK. They are also angry about a lack of consultation and claim that the employers have failed to present a financial justification for the closure.

They also argue that the decision breaks an agreement signed in 1998 with the company secured the position of the Jaguar sites in the West Midlands.

In a joint statement, the unions' general secretaries Tony Woodley (T&G), Derek Simpson (Amicus), and Kevin Curran (GMB), said: "The intervention of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor is vital, and their response to our case has been extremely positive.

"The Government have recognised that a breakdown of trust between Ford and its workforce could be very damaging. Their sympathy was matched by a willingness to act and we believe the Government will play a most constructive role."

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