MPs Rally Against Jaguar Closure
LONDON, October 27 -- West Midlands MPs last night rallied together to attack Ford's breach of agreement with the unions over its plans to end car production at the Historic Browns lane site.
MPs also expressed their concerns over the future of manufacturing in the West Midlands.
At an adjournment debate held last night MPs were in agreement that Ford's bosses had broken an agreement signed in 1998 which said that if the unions did what was expected of them and met targets for high productivity and quality standards, Ford would continue to invest in Browns Lane. Only last February, the company congratulated the work force on delivering their part of the agreement and their promises.
Mr. Jim Cunningham:Lab (Coventry, South): "If people break their word, it is one of the biggest crimes that can be committed in industrial relations because no one will ever trust their word again. Yet Ford wonders why my colleagues, who are sitting beside me, and I have grave doubts about any guarantees that it has given for the future of the Whitley site. This is the thin edge of the wedge in relation to the future of Ford."
"If the company thinks that its proposals are right, it should be prepared to have them tested and to say why it cannot accept the proposals that the trade union makes on behalf of the work force. Unless the company is prepared to do that, no one will take anything that it says very seriously."
Mr. Geoffrey Robinson (Coventry, North-West) (Lab): "It is usually calculated that, for every job in manufacturing lost directly, another two can be counted in the supply chain and more widely in the surrounding industries."
Amicus and T&G are furious that there has been no consultation with the unions over Ford's plans which will result in 1,150 job losses.
Derek Simpson Amicus General Secretary says;
"Jaguar workers will welcome the support from their West Midlands MPs who recognise the dire consequences that Ford's breach of agreement will cause.
"We look forward to giving evidence at The Trade and Industry Select Committee and hope that Ford will provide MPs with their business justification for the closure of Browns Lane which they have so far refused to share with us."
Tony Woodley, T&G General Secretary, said:
"MPs are keeping the pressure on Ford to maintain their commitments to their West Midlands Jaguar workforce. Their interventions are a vital step in the campaign to save Browns Lane and they are raising important questions about the future of the region's car making base."