Nearly 200 jobs or 26% of the Aston Martin Lagonda workforce are going at St Athan. The luxury car maker confirmed the losses today after Unite spelled out the situation. New management has taken over at AML and the backers have changed, suggesting it does not have the same financial support it had just 12 months ago when the first DBX SUV models were sent to customers. The DBX is built … [Read more...]
Car makers outline plan for production return
As Europe is grappling with the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has set out four guiding principles for a successful re-launch of the auto industry, which will be vital to the wider economic recovery of the continent. “It is in Europe’s interest that this key strategic sector not only recovers, but also is revitalised in … [Read more...]
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant closure confirmed
Workers at Ford Bridgend Engine Plant were this morning told it’s closing after 40 years. The company called a mass meeting in the plant and it comes after many months of speculation surrounding its operations and future, and manager Wallace Yarwood broke the news to a hushed crowd with only one worker shouting "Poor show". The GMB union said it would be "hammer blow" to workers and the … [Read more...]
£170M Vauxhall Luton van plant investment
Vauxhall Luton van plant will build the next generation Vivaro from next year, and probably some Peugeot and Citroen models which will use the same platform in the group. The news today secures about 1,400 jobs beyond 2030 and represents up to £170m investment in the plant said the Unite union, including about £9M from the Government. It is also expected to be good news for the UK supply chain … [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...]
Newslines 13 June
Plaid Cymru has called for an investigation into the Welsh Government handling of the Circuit of Wales project. The £425 M project has been beset with difficulties over the last few years and Wales Audit Office has criticised Cardiff Bay giving a £9 M investment loan, and now there is disagreement over when there was suggestion of a partially funded underwriting proposal given to … [Read more...]
Wales’ Ford workers face ballot on strike
About 2,000 Ford Bridgend Engine Plant workers will next month be asked to consider industrial action over future investment. UNITE leader Len McCluskey visited the plant last month and met workers as part of his national re-election campaign. They told him they were concerned about job losses when production of JLR engines finishes the end of this decade and the plant will only make power … [Read more...]
Unions pledge to fight for Ford workers in Wales
Unite and GMB unions this afternoon pledged to fight for the future of workers at Ford Bridgend Engine Plant after the company confirmed it is likely to have to scale back production from 2020. About 1,100 jobs could go when Jaguar Land Rover V8 and V6 engines production ends this decade and the incoming Ford Dragon engine line is introduced but at lower numbers than the present four-cylinder … [Read more...]
Union talks over future of Ford plant
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant workers are today in a series of meetings with the leader of their Unite Union, Len McCluskey, over the future of the plant. He is meeting workers on the three shifts to discuss the reduction in engine manufacturing after Ford confirmed the current workforce was sustainable only until 2020, when a contract with JLR for V6 and V8 engines is due to end. It currently … [Read more...]
“Encouraging” talks with PSA boss for Vauxhall
As General Motors tries to hammer out a deal to sell its long-struggling Europe business to PSA Group, how the companies will manage an underfunded pension plan for retirees remains to be sorted. GM’s pension plan for Opel and Vauxhall retirees is underfunded by about $9 billion, according to Bloomberg News. PSA would like GM to keep a big chunk of that responsibility, … [Read more...]