Ford has been forced to axe 850 jobs in the UK after a slump in sales. Worst hit is the Transit van plant in Southampton, where between 400 and 500 jobs are set to go.
The other 350 losses will be spread across Ford’s remaining UK sites in Brentwood, Basildon, Dunton, Daventry, Halewood and Bridgend in Wales.
The carmaker said it hoped the redundancies would be voluntary and the losses represent almost 7% of Ford’s workforce of 12,900. Around half of the Southampton plant’s factory staff will be affected.
Gary Alexander, a worker at the factory for 20 years, told the BBC: ‘It's doom and gloom here at the moment and I think this factory's days are numbered.
‘They [Ford] went back on their word about the pay offer and they said there would be no more job losses. They said the redundancies will be voluntary but they will not get that many.’
Justin Bowden, GMB union officer, said: ‘Ford of Europe made a profit in excess of £1bn in 2008. The pay offer reflects last year's rate of inflation and the massive contribution to that profit by the UK Ford workers. Yet again Ford is going back on its agreement with its workforce and this time it is on pay.’
Ford said that a dramatic fall in commercial vehicle sales had prompted the decision.
John Fleming, Ford of Europe chairman and CEO, said: ‘As demand across the industry continues to fall, we are facing some immediate and major challenges.
‘Those companies which act quickly in taking the right decisions will be those who not only survive but who emerge strongest from this deep recession.’
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