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 units for Ford.
Late last year the union sought assurances from the car maker over its plans for BEP after the JLR work goes but now says there has not been a satisfactory explanation about future investment. The union is seeking a further meeting with Ford executives before organising a possible strike ballot after a consultative ballot suggested the workers would support some sort of industrial action.
“Surely Ford now recognise the strong resolve that exists amongst the Bridgend workforce to fight for the plants future,” said a union spokesman.
“We are hopeful that the company will now engage in positive talks with us to see how we can attract future work to the site and maintain Bridgend as a key site in Ford’s global operations”.
The company said in a statement, “As we have consistently stated, Ford remains committed to on-going constructive dialogue with our union partners, and we have proposed a dedicated work stream to examine future business opportunities for the Bridgend operation.
“We consider any ballot for industrial action to be premature given that the opportunity for productive engagement, in line with established employee relations and working practices, has been and continues to be readily available.”