5:30pm Monday 15th September 2008
By Dan Kerins
JOBS are to go at Ford's Transit factory in Southampton, the Daily Echo can reveal.
The revelation comes as the firm announced it is to slash production at the plant.
The firm has confirmed that it will be building the new model of the Transit van at the Swaythling plant from 2011. However the level of production will be slashed from the current 75,000 units to just 35,000 in three years time.
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The company has not yet decided how many jobs will be lost at the factory in Wide Lane, but has confirmed that jobs will go.
In a statement released this afternoon, Brian Bennet, the corporate affairs manager of Ford UK, said: "Ford's Southampton plant operates within a competitive European commercial vehicle market. As usual at this stage in a vehicle's lifecycle, Ford has been discussing with employee representatives and union officials plans for future model investment at the plant.
"It is intended that the current Transit model will be produced at Southampton until 2011.
"At their latest meeting employee representatives were told of the most viable proposal for the next Ford Transit at Southampton plant. "
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"This plan, which meets the necessary financial targets for this vehicle programme, is now being discussed."
Ford announced the decision after holding crunch talks with unions at the plant which employs around 1,100 people.
Southampton City Council welcomed the news that Ford was to stay in the city, and pledged to do what it could to help any staff who may be laid off with careers advice and opportunities.
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