Ford workers across Britain must stand together against the closure of the Bridgend Engine Plant, GMB Congress has said. An emergency motion, passed at GMB’s Annual Conference in Brighton yesterday, called on the company to reconsider the closure – which will cost 1,700 jobs. Ford workers at the car giant's other UK plants must stand alongside their Bridgend colleagues, the motions … [Read more...]
Road safety compromised by Gig services, says GMB
Gig economy employers are exposing delivery drivers, riders and the general to unacceptable health and safety risks says GMB GMB, Britain’s general union, has responded to a University College London report suggesting gig economy drivers and riders are at heightened risk of traffic collisions. The report claims the pressures that come with being a self-employed courier or taxi driver may … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 August
Jaguar Land Rover will add three new models over the next five years and gradually switch most of its vehicles to a new modular platform. The first model will be a new-generation Land Rover Defender, arriving in the 2020-21 financial year, JLR said in a June 22 presentation to investors and two more vehicles will be launched between 2021 and 2024, with reports of a new entry level Land Rover and … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 June
Learners can drive on motorways from today. The law change only allows them to drive with qualified instructors, not family or friends who are unqualified. North Wales Police are planning a summer crack down on motorcyclists after a dramatic escalation in fatalities. By the end of last month the number killed on local roads exceeded the total for 2017. Amazon delivery drivers are the … [Read more...]
Buyers being failed over electric cars, claim
UK car buyers are being failed by car-makers and dealers when it comes to choosing electric cars, says analysis company Sophus3. As UK car sales figures for the vital first quarter of 2018 are released today, highlighting a continued and dramatic decline in diesel purchases, global automotive analysts Sophus3 reveal that potential electric car buyers seeking alternatives are increasingly … [Read more...]
“Perfect storm” looming over Ford Bridgend plant – union
A perfect storm is developing around Ford Bridgend Engine Plant, a union official has claimed. Jeff Beck, GMB Organiser for Wales, was responding to an interview at the Geneva Motor Show now underway and where Ford’s European boss Steve Armstrong said it needed clarity over Brexit terms before it could make any further investment in South Wales petrol engine plant or it’s sister diesel plant in … [Read more...]
Uber service must comply with taxi regs, says EU
GMB, the drivers’ union, has welcomed a ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) this morning that Uber is a transport company and not a digital service as the company had argued. In its ruling, the ECJ said that a service whose purpose was "to connect, by means of a smartphone application and for remuneration, non-professional drivers using their own vehicle with persons who wish to make … [Read more...]
GMB hail another taxi victory
After the Uber ruling, GMB has won another victory for taxi drivers in Cardiff and London with a different company. GMB, the union for private hire drivers, has scored another landmark legal victory after an tribunal ruled Addison Less drivers are entitled to basic workers’ rights The Central London Employment Tribunal today found that a group of Addison Lee drivers were workers and were … [Read more...]
JLR engine contract with Ford Bridgend plant to end in 2020
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant will lose the JLR engine build contract in three years. The plant has been making V8 and V6 engines for JLR since 1990 when it was part of the Ford Group but continued after purchase of the luxury brands by Tata. Now Ford has said it has told GMB and Unite of the JLR plan and it will “continue to look at other high technology opportunities for Bridgend in the … [Read more...]
BREAKING NEWS: Uber must close down in London
Uber has been kicked out of London. The taxi-hailing service has lost its operator’s licence following opposition by the GMB who campaigned for drivers’ minimum wage, regular breaks and holiday entitlements. The company maintained the drivers were self-employed but a 100,000 strong petition opposed its business model and there were further complaints by the Hackney Carriage or Black Cab … [Read more...]