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Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Union warns of 'nightmare' 1,100 job cuts at Ford in Bridgend

The GMB has criticised US car giant Ford as being a 'nightmare' following concerns that more than a thousand jobs could be at risk at the company's Bridgend plant.

Unions, who have been in talks with bosses at Ford this afternoon, say their worst case scenario has come true - that the company will cut 1,100 workers over a five year period, eventually leaving just 600 workers on the site.

It follows the firm's decision to cut investment in the Dragon engine project, announced in September, that would have seen the south Wales plant produce its new generation of petrol engines.

Contracts with Jaguar are also due to end in the coming years, and unions say Brexit has not helped the situation.

GMB union official Jeff Beck told Sky News: "The nightmare for our members at Bridgend has unfortunately come true.

"This is a real kick in the teeth for our hard-working members at the Ford plant as well as their families and the community as a whole."

Ford has told Sky News the Bridgend plant must fulfil its commitment in terms of delivery, quality and the cost of the products it manufactures.

It also said that just like other Ford plants around the world, winning new contracts depends on the plant's efficiency and global competitiveness.

It did not however confirm or deny the unions' claims about potential job cuts.

The Unite and GMB unions say that today's meetings mean workers are "one step closer to strike action in defence of their jobs".

One employee, who wished to remain anonymous, told me he wanted assurances from Ford, and said he could not understand how a company that sells so many cars in the UK could let down its workforce.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey told Sky News: "Brexit is clearly a factor here.

"So I appeal again to the Westminster government and Theresa May to make it categorically clear without delay that there will be tariff-free access to the single market and customs union, because the uncertainty the UK's automotive sector is enduring is having damaging real-life consequences now, before talks have even begun."

The Prime Minister and Wales' First Minister, Carwyn Jones, have said they are seeking assurances from Ford to ensure the plant in Bridgend remains part of the company's "success" in Britain after leaving the European Union.

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