Jaguar Unions Give Evidence to Commons Committee

LONDON, November 1 -- T&G and Amicus trade unions are to give evidence tomorrow to the Commons Trade and Industry Select Committee on the announcement by Ford to shed over 1,100 Jaguar jobs and end car production at the Browns Lane plant in Coventry.

T&G General Secretary, Tony Woodley and Amicus National Officer, Tony Murphy have been called to give oral evidence to the influential Trade and Industry Select Committee.

The unions will say that the company have offered no real reasons for the cuts and the effective closure of Browns Lane is in contravention of two Ford agreements specifically guaranteeing its future as a manufacturing plant.

Tony Woodley, T&G General Secretary, said:

"The unions have serious concerns about Ford's decision to end car production at Browns Lane and wider fears about the company's intentions for its future in the UK. The Trade and Industry Committee will be an important forum to express our views to MPs ahead of their questioning of Ford bosses later this month."

Tony Murphy, Amicus' National Officer for the Automotive Industry, said:

"We want to make clear our opposition to Ford's move. This is an important forum and we want to make clear that Ford have not made an effective case for the cuts. The committee's interest reflects what a vital issue this is, not only for those Jaguar workers threatened with redundancy, but for the city of Coventry, the West Midlands and the future of the car industry in this country."

The Committee will take oral evidence on Jaguar from 2.15 pm tomorrow in the Grimond Room in Portcullis House.

Ford bosses have been called to give evidence to the Trade and Industry Select Committee later this month.

For further information please call Catherine Bithell in the Amicus press office on +44-(0)20-7-420-8909 or +44-(0)7958-473-224 or Claire Ainsley in the T&G press office on +44-(0)20-7-611-2549 or +44-(0)7976-832-169.