Ford workers vote for strike
MORE than half of Ford workers in Bridgend are prepared to take part in strike action.
A ballot revealed that 52.1% would stage a walkout while 71.9% were ready to take other forms of industrial action.
A MEMO has confirmed Ford workers voted for strike action and crunch talks with the company are set to take place this week.
The ballot came after months of anxiety over the future of the car giant’s Bridgend plant.
“On Thursday, 17 August, shop stewards met with the Wales secretary Andy Richards at Swansea to receive the results of the Unite industrial action ballot, which has been emailed and posted to all members,” the note said.
“The results provide a clear mandate from the Unite hourly paid members for strike action or action short of a strike in support of our campaign to save Bridgend engine plant.”
It’s understood 52.1% of them said they were prepared to take part in strike action.
And 71.9% were ready to take other forms of industrial action.
The document said the shop steward committee wished to thank its members for “supporting the call for industrial action as a means to persuade the company to enter into meaningful talks.”
“During this crucial time it is important that everyone is kept up to date with campaign activity,” it said.
According to the despatch, plant convenor Andrew Pearson met with Unite officers to discuss the ballot on Friday, August 18.
It’s understood Unite regional officer, Bryan Godsell, legal officer John Toner and Mary William of the “strategy support unit” attended.
“The results were discussed in detail,” the memo said.
“Given the results it’s clear that a strategy now needs to be formulated with the aim of persuading the company to have meaningful talks about the protection of jobs and the future security of the plant.”
It’s understood Unite’s national officer was due to meet with the shop stewards committee to discuss their next move on Monday. The union and Ford management are now due to meet on Thursday.
“It is hoped during this meeting the company will respond positively, now that the membership has given a clear mandate for official industrial action,” the document said.
“Until further notice, members are expected to continue to work as normal, pending updates from the shop stewards committee after negotiation with the company.”
The Bridgend engine plant employs 1,760 peo- ple, but concerns for the site have been increasing.
There have been reports Ford has drawn up plans to axe around 600 workers by 2021.
In March the GMB said more than 1,000 will go in the coming years.
They dubbed it their “worst nightmare”.
Ford could not be reached for comment at the time of writing.
But a spokesman previously said: “As we have consistently stated, Ford remains committed to ongoing constructive dialogue with our union partners, and we have proposed a dedicated work stream to examine future business opportunities for the Bridgend operation.
“We consider the recent industrial action ballot to have been premature, given that the opportunity for productive engagement, in line with established employee relations and working practices, has been and continues to be readily available.
“We also confirmed approval last year for a £100m investment for a new engine for Bridgend, and the plant remains full for the immediate future.
“There is nothing more to add at this time.”
A spokesman for Unite said: “We’re not saying anything at the moment.
“Our officials are continuing to meet with members.”