Ford prepares to cut 1,100 jobs at its engine plant in Wales, trade unions stated on Wednesday, although the United States automaker said there were no immediate preparation for cuts nor had it validated any future losses.
Ford, the biggest maker of vehicle engines in Britain, stated last year it was downsizing investment due to lower than anticipated demand for one of its fuel engines but was not planning substantial cuts.
However, the GMB and Unite unions stated company bosses had validated during meetings on Wednesday that about 1,100 jobs would be cut over a five-year duration, leaving a labor force of 600 remaining on the Welsh location at Bridgend.
“The nightmare for our members at Bridgend has regrettably come true,” stated Jeff Beck of the GMB. “This is a genuine start the teeth for our hard-working members at the Ford plant– along with their families and the community as a whole.”
Both unions stated they would consult with their members and did not dismiss strike action.
Although, Ford, that made around a third of Britain’s overall output of 2.4 million engines at Bridgend in 2015, disputed the unions’ declaration.
“That’s not correct. We’re not in a position to validate any job losses. We’re certainly a number of years away from that,” a Ford spokeswoman informed. “We’re proposing a joint working party with the Unite and GMB to determine future business needs.
“Demand is healthy and inhabits the existing labor force for the next 2 to 3 years. Beyond that we do see reduction in the projections, for this reason that’s why we informed back in September that we are lowering the initial investment.”
Unite’s general secretary Len McCluskey gotten in touch with the British government to step in, and Prime Minister Theresa May said previously on Wednesday that ministers would hold regular talks with Ford to make sure they might preserve the car producer’s “success” in Britain after leaving the European Union.
“Ministers in this government have been engaging with numerous companies within the vehicle sector, consisting of Ford,” May told parliament.
“We have had discussion with Ford, we will continue to have a regular discussion with Ford about the ways in which government can assist to make sure that this success continues.”
