Ford swamped with redundancy requests by staff at Swaythling Transit plant

Ford swamped with redundancy requests Ford swamped with redundancy requests

FORD bosses have been swamped by workers requesting redundancy from the Southampton Transit factory as news of a further three-week shutdown hits the shop floor.

The Daily Echo understands around 550 employees have registered an interest in getting a pay-off from the motor giant, which was planning to shed between 400 and 500 people.

Click below to see a video of today's headlines in sixty seconds

It means it is unlikely that anyone will be forced to go in the mammoth round of job cuts at the Southampton plant – although some applicants may be turned down or could change their minds.

Those who apply for voluntary redundancy could walk away with more than £30,000 or a year’s salary.

See today's paper for more on this story

A Ford spokesman said the vast majority of the 550 would be given the green light to leave and the company could not rule out the possibility of more cuts in the future.

He said: “Nobody will be told anything until after their oneto- one interviews which will start next week, although we will be looking at letting as many workers go as we can as it suits the way we are looking to work at the moment.”

Comments(8)

Mrs. De Pointe says...
10:59am Thu 19 Mar 09

Sounds like everyone's happy then, has the Echo made a big fuss over nothing ?

Nearly an OAP says...
11:42am Thu 19 Mar 09

Better a bird in the hand than two in the bush. Most Ford workers that I have spoken to have had enough of the firm.

Jerry Parsons says...
12:05pm Thu 19 Mar 09

Going voluntarily can be a big boost psychologically .

Hopefully all those asking for it will prosper in the future.

CANADA-GILL says...
4:41pm Thu 19 Mar 09

be careful...there have a huge round of things going on in North America and now with the econmic
conditions there are full outs. Some of the people here retired with pensions which could be deceased by 75%.

Condor Man says...
6:01pm Thu 19 Mar 09

Fords will only get rid of people who have been there a short period of time, long serving staff will be 'encouraged' to stay on as they'll be more expensive to make redundant

Dr Alimantado says...
9:29pm Thu 19 Mar 09

Condor Man wrote:
Fords will only get rid of people who have been there a short period of time, long serving staff will be 'encouraged' to stay on as they'll be more expensive to make redundant
exactly, do people really thing that this company (who everyone has been predicting would shaft it's employees) is going to willingly let people go with £30k or a year's salary?

They will screw whoever they can. It's business

goard says...
10:47am Fri 20 Mar 09

Dr.A. screwed is the word but not necessarily by Fords. I am not certain, but be aware, if one has a sum of money, albeit awarded, it is known that government may be able to either reclaim or not to assist these out of work people. I know it can happen when NHS or ambulance can claim from that person if they get a claim accepted. Not sure, is there anyone in the house that can, from experience, give any detail as to this? I have a very suspicious mind.

goard

Frank28 says...
6:01pm Fri 20 Mar 09

This amount of redundancy represents a very sad summary for Ford, Southampton. The government has done nothing to help sustain our automotive industry. In Germany, where 1 in 8 of the population is connected with that industry, the government have slashed taxes on new vehicles to boost new car sales. No chance of that happening here.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree