Unions Welcome Parliamentary Debate on Jaguar Closure

LONDON, October 25 -- Unions today welcomed news that MP's are to debate the 1,150 cuts across Jaguar, announced by Ford last month in the House of Commons tomorrow.

Jim Cunningham, MP for Coventry South has secured an adjournment debate on the Jaguar job cuts which will see the end of car production at Jaguar's historic plant, Browns Lane in Coventry and severe cuts in Jaguar's product development staff. Unions fear that at least one of two large engineering design centre will also be closed and that the Whitley design centre in the West Midlands is also under threat.

Amicus and T&G trade union say the cuts are in breach of written agreements by Ford, given as recently as February this year, guaranteeing future products and investments in he Browns Lane plant. Unions also say that workers are paying the price for management failure and that the closures and job cuts will not address the fundamental issues at Jaguar.

Derek Simpson, Amicus General Secretary, said: "We hope that tomorrow's Parliamentary debate and the imminent hearing by the influential DTI Select Committee that will call on senior Ford executives to give evidence will increase the political pressure on Ford to examine alternative options.

"The demonstration in Coventry next month in support of Browns Lane will also show Ford the strength of public opposition to the ending of car production at the site. We want the company enter in to constructive negotiations with trade unions and reverse its' decision."

Tony Woodley, T&G General Secretary, said: "The response from MPs to Ford's announcement has been very strong, with over 100 MPs signing an Early Day Motion expressing their concern at the company's actions. Ford need to respond quickly and positively to the growing unease that is shared by unions, Government, MPs and the community."

Jim Cunningham, MP for Coventry South, said: "The local MPs are building momentum in Parliament and in the community to press Ford to reconsider their decision to end car production at Browns Lane. Tomorrow's adjournment debate will be an important step in highlighting the campaign to an audience of MPs."

Browns Lane is Ford most efficient plant in the world and in recent weeks it was used as a bench mark to be reached in terms of competitiveness during recent negotiations at Land Rover in Solihull.

Unions say that members are paying with their jobs for the mismanagement of Jaguar, despite Browns Lane being one of the most productive plant in the Ford group worldwide.

Joint unions have announced plans for a major march and rally in Coventry on 27th November 2004 in support of keeping Jaguar car production at Browns Lane.

For further information, please call Catherine Bithell, Amicus Press Office, on +44-(0)20-7420-8909 or +44-(0)7958-473224 or Claire Ainsley, T&G Press Office, on +44-(0)20-7611-2549 or +44-(0)7976-832169