(Tue 06 Nov 07)

Britain's largest union has issued a series of demands to Ford and the UK Government regarding any future sale of Jaguar and Land Rover by Ford's Premier Automotive Group.

Tony Woodley, Joint General Secretary of Unite, is insisting that Ford should involve his union in any decisions regarding potential buyers, rather than simply accepting the highest price offered.

"There are no ifs, buts, ands or maybes here," he says. "We want full involvement. We want clear decisions securing the jobs of all our members now and in the future along with their pay and pensions plus the futures of all Ford plants in the UK.

"To ministers the message is clear. If manufacturing in this country matters, and it does, they have got a responsibility not to walk away and adopt a 'market rules OK' attitude.

"We are very clear. We want the right answers from Ford and any potential bidder to all these points."

In a five-point plan, Woodley is calling on Ford to do the following:

(1) work with Unite to agree the future of Jaguar Land Rover production and development sites as well as the relevant Ford Blue Oval sites in the supply chain including the decisions on who to sell to;

(2) set out as the basis for any sale the continuation of vehicle production, design and development at the existing Jaguar Land Rover production and development sites;

(3) make it a condition of sale that a minimum 10-year service contract with the Ford Blue Oval and other current suppliers be agreed;

(4) retain a sizable financial stake in any new company established to take over Jaguar Land Rover to ensure such a long term contract;

(5) write into the conditions of sale that existing arrangements for trade union recognition and bargaining continue and that the workforce terms and conditions of employment including current pension arrangements are protected.

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