Fears for 1,100 engine plant jobs as Ford looks for ‘efficiencies’
MORE than 1,100 jobs are under threat at Ford after the car giant revealed concerns over a slowdown in work for a major British engine plant.
Ford is meeting unions and staff as a leaked report reportedly showed it could be looking to cut up to 1,160 jobs at the plant in Bridgend, Wales, leaving it with 600 workers at the site.
The company remained tight-lipped on the number of jobs at risk, but admitted “efficiencies” were high on the agenda.
A spokesman said a fiveyear plan showed “healthy volumes to occupy the current workforce over the next two to three years”, but added: “Beyond that, identified workload is reduced and whilst such a forecast is not unusual, given the cyclical nature of our business, it is a concern.”
It is understood Ford has projected the job losses based on the assumption it is unable to bring in any new work at the plant. Ford said it has proposed a joint working party with unions Unite and GMB “to identify future business opportunities”.
Trade union Unite said it would “defend the future of the Bridgend plant with all our might”.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said the company should provide cast-iron legal guarantees that ensure the plant’s longterm future.
He said: “This loyal workforce and their union have been kept in the dark over recent months. But the focus now has to be saving these jobs.
“Over the coming days we will be consulting our members on our next steps, but they can be assured Unite will use all its might to fight for the future of Bridgend. We will not allow Ford to walk away from its responsibilities.”