Angry Jaguar Workers Will Fight Ford UK Cuts

LONDON, September 20 -- In a series of union meetings today workers at Jaguar have expressed their opposition to Ford's decision to end production at Browns Lane in Coventry and make 1,150 job cuts across the company. Members have voted overwhelmingly to oppose closure and backed a call for an industrial action ballot.

T&G and Amicus shop stewards and members at Browns Lane have voted overwhelmingly (86%) to oppose the cuts and at the Jaguar research and development plant in Whitley have voted to support them in whatever action they take.

Workers are furious that Ford have reneged on a previous agreement to keep Jaguar production at Brown Lane. The workforce has also been angered by Ford's making the announcement via the media on the plant's downturn day.

Today's meetings at the Browns Lane, Castle Bromwich and Halewood Jaguar plants will be followed by 'sounding' meetings across the rest of Ford UK this week including Land Rover, Aston Martin and Ford Blue Oval facilities and the company's research sites at Dunton, Gaydon and Coventry.

Amicus General Secretary, Derek Simpson, said: "The effective closure of Browns Lane goes against the promises made by Ford for the site to remain the centre for Jaguar production in the UK. We also believe that the 750 staff side cuts being proposed across the company means the closure of the research and development facility at Whitley and will ultimately jeopardise Jaguar's survival in the UK. That is why we will support and lead our members in whatever action they feel will be most effective in opposing the cuts."

Tony Woodley, General Secretary of the T&G, said: "Jaguar workers are angry and feel betrayed by the company they have delivered so much for. Jaguar has undermined the trust of its workforce by breaking an agreement on the security of the West Midlands plants. Members are solid in their opposition to closure and they are being backed all the way by the unions' leadership."

Under the plan only 310 jobs will remain at Browns Lane making wood finishes for Jaguar models. 750 staff side jobs will be lost at Browns Lane and the rest of the company.