Unite and TUC pledge to fight for Honda staff in Swindon and protect workers' livelihoods



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A UNION leader pledged to "spare no effort" in his efforts to keep the plant on the road and prevent thousands of people from losing their jobs.

Following Honda's announcement to shut down Swindon and put 3,500 jobs at risk, Des Quinn, Unite's national automotive manager, said, "We recognize the global challenges described by Honda in its statement, but we do not accept The factory, with its highly skilled and dedicated workforce, has no viable future.

"We are now entering a period of constructive consultation with management to examine in detail the business case presented by the company. We will not neglect any effort to keep this factory in operation and maintain its workforce.

"Although Brexit is not mentioned as a reason for this announcement, we believe that the uncertainty created by the Conservative government through its inept and rigid management of Brexit negotiations lurks in the background.

"If the government had organized a strong and stable Brexit that protected the economy and jobs, we might have been in a very different situation today.

"We met with the company this morning and will be meeting with staff representatives at a time of great concern for our members and their families.

"The impact of any closure on the Wiltshire economy and more generally on the entire UK supply chain can not be underestimated – it would be devastating. That's why Unite will make every effort to avoid this catastrophic result. "

The secretary of the Congress of Trade Unions blamed the Prime Minister's uncertainty over Brexit for closing the Honda plant.

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady blamed the decision on Brexit, while Honda said Britain's closure by the EU had nothing to do with the closure.

"The Prime Minister's refusal not to conclude that there is no agreement puts thousands of jobs at risk. It must put an end to this overwhelming uncertainty of Brexit by extending Article 50 and abandoning its destructive red lines.

"Honda workers should not pay the price the premier is playing against his party supporters, and we urge Honda to urgently sit down with Unite to discuss the way forward for the factory. . "

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