Planned workforce losses ‘devastating’
FORD announced the redundancies at its Bridgend factory on Friday, confirming long-held fears about job losses at the plant.
It was already understood about 1,150 jobs would go from its South Wales base as part of redundancy plans across the business.
A spokeswoman said: “Ford is introducing a voluntary separation programme for hourly and salaried employees at its Bridgend Engine Plant in South Wales as part of its ongoing actions to create a sustainably profitable business in Europe.
“The programme follows discussion with the union on matching the plant’s labour requirements to the projected production volume expectations in the near term.
“It is anticipated that the majority of employees who apply and are selected for voluntary separation under this programme will leave Ford employment in the third and fourth quarters of 2019”.
Unite Wales regional secretary Peter Hughes said: “Unite will be fully supporting our members at Ford Bridgend Engine Plant during this worrying and uncertain time.
“We want to ensure that they are able to make clear and informed decisions about their future. We will have resources in place to offer guidance and assistance during this difficult time for their families and the wider community.
“While the voluntary redundancy process is under way, we will continue to work with Ford and Welsh Government to try and find alternative investment for Bridgend to maximise employment at the plant.
“We will be urging Ford to ensure that the highly successful rollout of the Dragon engine is built upon, and that the plant’s world-class workforce is at the front of the queue if Ford decides to increase production volumes of Dragon.
“It is essential that the plant is used for any future production of hybrid technology and electric vehicle componentry and that a search for third party manufacturers to utilise any surplus space is given priority in order to maximise future jobs at Ford Bridgend.”
Plaid Cymru’s economy spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth AM said: “The confirmation of the loss of 400 jobs at the Bridgend plant is devastating – not only for the workers directly affected but for the wider Welsh economy as well.
“This means that the plant in Bridgend is set to lose the majority of its workforce. We must get guarantees from Ford and the Welsh Government that these workers are supported and their rights protected.”
Welsh Conservative AM for South Wales West Suzy Davies AM said: “Though people in Bridgend anticipated that this would happen, it remains a bitter disappointment.
“It has also been pretty poor form for elected representatives in the area to have heard about this through an online article, rather than through direct conversations or correspondence.
“The announcement about where a new generation of off-road vehicles is due to be made shortly so it’s not clear how these voluntary redundancies fit in with that.”