GM/PSA


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‘Relatively positive’ meeting Unite GS presses PSA boss to keep Vauxhall jobs


As uniteWORKS went to press (February 27), Unite general secretary Len McCluskey met with more than 100 Unite reps in Ellesmere Port, Luton and Toddington, to bring them the latest update on a potential takeover of the UK General Motors (GM) affiliate Vauxhall, by Peugeot- owner PSA Group.


Just days before, Len met with PSA boss Carlos Tavares to press the case for maintaining the two Vauxhall plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton and the tens of thousands of jobs dependent on the business.


Len’s meeting with Tavares was the latest in an explosive story that took everyone by surprise, as it emerged earlier in February that GM was in talks with PSA to sell its European operations, known as GM Opel, which includes Vauxhall.


“Mr Tavares gave assurances that current production commitments would be met should the takeover with PSA go-ahead,” Len said of the meeting, which he described as ‘relatively positive’.


“It was also heartening to hear that PSA group wants to work with Unite and recognises the skill and efficiency of our members who make the world class Astra and Vivaro vans,” he added.


It is understood that Tavares’ assurances on production commitments would mean that production of the Astra at Ellesmere Port would be guaranteed until 2021 and production of the Vivaro car in Luton would be maintained until 2025.


“Going forward both Unite and PSA have agreed to work together and engage constructively as developments unfold,” Len noted.


Just as Len met with Tavares, Unite rep John Cooper, who is also the UK Vauxhall European Works Council rep, met with other GM Opel EWC reps in Germany and together they agreed to the same set of principles.


Among them was a commitment to press GM to fulfil all agreements and commitments necessary for the success of the sites and the future company. The


Commitment call – GS Len McCluskey outside BEIS


EWC also acknowledged PSA’s pledges to work constructively with the workforce.


Business analysts have speculated that the UK’s two Vauxhall plants may be vulnerable to closure after the buyout given the economic realities of an impending Brexit.


But since news of the potential sale, Len has repeatedly pledged that Unite will not accept a single job loss – the two Vauxhall plants are extremely efficient and despite most of their cars being shipped to mainland Europe, the UK is still Vauxhall’s largest single market.


But securing a successful future for the Vauxhall plants and workforce means the UK government must also step in, Len pointed out.


He urged prime minister Theresa May to pledge to give “the same, if not more, backing for the UK plants as the German and French leaders have given their workforces. We need our government batting hard for our workers,” he said.


“ 7 uniteWORKS September/October 2013


The government needs to give the same, if not more, backing for the UK plants as the German and French leaders have given their workforces. We need our government batting hard for our workers Len McCluskey


Unite general secretary to PM Theresa May


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Bloomberg


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