‘U-turn causing great deal of anxiety’ to workforce – union
Union chiefs have slammed Nissan boss es for causing“a great deal of anxiety” to its Sunderland workforce after its weekend announcement that it was scrapping plans to build the new X-Trail model on Wearside.
Saturday brought intense speculation that the company was planning a U-turn on its 2016 announcement that the new model would be built at its North East base, which employs about 7,000 people.
The Japanese car giant confirmed the news yesterday, citing business reasons for the decision – but also admitting uncertainty over Brexit was not helping it make long-term plans.
Unite criticised Nissan for the way the announcement was handled, saying it had caused “anger and disappointment” and demanded assurances about its future.
After reports of the cancelled plans were leaked to the media on Saturday, Unite the Union met with Nissan representatives yesterday.
Unite acting national officer Steve Bush said: “Nissan were left in no doubt of our anger and disappointment over how the X-Trail announcement leaked to the media.
“It has caused a great deal of anxiety among a workforce in one of the most efficient and productive Nissan factories in the world. We pressed for guarantees on jobs and future production levels at Sunderland and received firm assurances that the future production of the Juke and Qashqai is unaffected and thisissolelyanX-Traildecision.
“Unite will continue to press for further long-term guarantees over future investment and new models to secure the site’s future for generations to come.