Transit jobs axe is "tragic for city" says MP (From Daily Echo)
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Sandra Gidley demands Government talks over Ford's Southampton job losses
8:00am Thursday 5th February 2009 in Future of Ford
Transit jobs axe is "tragic for city" says MP
A Hampshire MP described the decision to axe hundreds of jobs at Ford in Southampton as "tragic".
Romsey MP Sandra Gidley is now calling for Government internention and is seeking urgent talks with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
Following the announcement that the company is shedding 500 jobs at the Swaythling Transit factory she said: “This is tragic news for the plant, the workers and the city.
"Even those who keep their jobs will lose out as the remaining workers will operate a single shift.
"This effectively means a 15% cut in take home pay.
“That is bad enough, but Ford are creating extra uncertainty by renegotiating the recent pay deal.
“I have been consistently raising concerns for some months, but the government have been slow to act. Last week’s aid package was simply too little, too late.
“Ultimately we need to get the white-van man buying vans again. Manufacturers' finance companies need to gain short term access to the Bank of England's special liquidity schemes, loan guarantees or direct loans now.”
Comments(10)
Martin Wellbourne
says...
8:23am Thu 5 Feb 09
Major Sir Jerry Pending
says...
8:32am Thu 5 Feb 09
Martin Wellbourne wrote:Only a Tory could make such a stupid comment like that!
I thought she didn't comment on matters until the official report was published. She can therefore be ignored.
hulla baloo
says...
8:44am Thu 5 Feb 09
Major Sir Jerry Pending wrote:Unless she changed sides overnight, Sandra Gidley is a Lib Dem.
Martin Wellbourne wrote: I thought she didn't comment on matters until the official report was published. She can therefore be ignored.Only a Tory could make such a stupid comment like that!
damien thorn
says...
9:02am Thu 5 Feb 09
hulla baloo
says...
9:11am Thu 5 Feb 09
damien thorn wrote:Why should the Government step in to protect a strong ( in comparison to its competitors ) American company ahead of giving help to UK companies?
why cant the government step in,retool for electric vans etc?
There is an acknowledged financial crisis around the world and these job losses are happening in every sector.
damien thorn
says...
9:55am Thu 5 Feb 09
hulla baloo wrote:i dont believe the irish american company ford will be present to much longer,the government needs to be ready to save the factory for the citys good when they pull out,have some vision for a change,its ok to bailout bankrupt banks though.
damien thorn wrote:Why should the Government step in to protect a strong ( in comparison to its competitors ) American company ahead of giving help to UK companies?
why cant the government step in,retool for electric vans etc?
There is an acknowledged financial crisis around the world and these job losses are happening in every sector.
RJG
says...
10:39am Thu 5 Feb 09
Ben Doone
says...
10:40am Thu 5 Feb 09
He has the finance and plans in place.
In all seriouness this is bad news for Soton.
The only small consolation (or perhaps not!!)is that the pain is being shared in Liverpool & Solihull(Jag & Land Rover)/Ellesmere Port (Vauxhall)/Derby (Toyota)/Sunderland (Nissan) & Swindon (Honda) plus other small vehicle manufactring palnts and their suppliers.
Millbrook Dave
says...
1:47pm Thu 5 Feb 09
hulla baloo
says...
1:57pm Thu 5 Feb 09
Ben Doone wrote:The meeting place for Southey's uprising is the dog and duck he has just bought the freehold of.
Our dear friend and regular poster Southey is in the process of organising a workers Co-operative. He has the finance and plans in place. In all seriouness this is bad news for Soton. The only small consolation (or perhaps not!!)is that the pain is being shared in Liverpool & Solihull(Jag & Land Rover)/Ellesmere Port (Vauxhall)/Derby (Toyota)/Sunderland (Nissan) & Swindon (Honda) plus other small vehicle manufactring palnts and their suppliers.
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