Thursday, September 17, 2009
Vauxhall jobs 'by no means certain' says union boss
The fate of 5,500 Vauxhall workers and thousands of other people employed by companies that supply parts to the vehicle manufacturer are by no means certain, according to Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of trade union Unite.
He was speaking at a 'Saving Vauxhall jobs, defending the UK car industry' fringe meeting at this year's TUC congress.
Mr Woodley was speaking as senior officials from Magna International, the company that has taken a 55% stake in Vauxhall parent company General Motors Europe, flew into London for talks with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Mr Woodley said: "As of right now, there are no long-term commitments for either Ellesmere Port or Luton. If we listen to what Magna has actually said, it has committed to nothing beyond 2013."
It is thought that the government is prepared to commit about £400 million to Magna in return for promises to keep Vauxhall's plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton open in the long term. He has conceeded, however, that there will be job losses.
DATED: 17.09.09
FEED: AW
