Fantastic redundancy package
Protest at Ford Dealers on 25th April 2009.
The meeting held today (29th April 2009) with Tony Woodley.
"No movement on jobs, no movement on pension. The company are discussing a cash offer at board level. They will get back to us tomorrow. (30th April 2009)"
The strongest possible support for our cause has come from Tony Woodley (Joint General Secretary of Unite).
Tony is leading the fight to demand recompense from Ford. All three plants convenors will meet him in London on Wednesday, 29th April 2009.
Bridgend Plant,
On 27th April, Kevin Nolan (Enfield convenor) and Frank Jepson ( Basildon convenor) travelled to Bridgend and met with the Convenor, Steve Reece, andtwo of his senior stewards.
They are very sympathetic to our cause. They are planning to make a large donation to our fighting fund from their branch funds.
The Belfast plant is still occupied. The court action to evict them has now been adjourned until 6th May 2009.
Leaked papers reveal Visteon 2001 closure plan
By Jamie McDowell
Friday, 24 April 2009
Visteon had considered closing down its factory as early as 2001 - just a year after it took the plant over from Ford, the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.
Last month 210 workers at the Belfast plant began a sit-in after they were laid off with just hours' notice after administrators KPMG were brought into the beleaguered factory.
However, leaked documents drawn up in May 2001 - obtained by the Telegraph - reveal Visteon had compiled three different options for closing or downsizing the factory eight years ago.
It also had produced comprehensive plans for where Visteon's Belfast's products would be outsourced.
Hundreds of former workers are now in dispute with the firm over redundancy payments.
Their union - Unite - argues that they had been promised the same pay and conditions under Visteon that they had enjoyed with Ford but instead they have been offered statutory redundancy payment on much inferior terms.
They point to an agreement signed in 2000 which stated: "Following the agreement signed with the European Works Council (EWC) all Visteon employees ... will keep mirrored employment terms and conditions, as they are transformed from Ford to Visteon and will continue to benefit from this agreement."
"The mirroring of employment conditions includes pay, pensions and other benefits. Visteon will honour the EWC agreement."
Four months after Visteon made this agreement, the company had started considering how to close or downsize the plant.
And today Visteon admitted the Belfast plant was already operating at a loss before they took it on.
A spokeswoman said: "Following Visteon's incorporation in 2000, the losses at Belfast were already substantial and it was clear that the plant was unlikely to be viable without significant restructuring. At an early stage in the corporation's history [2001-2002], Visteon initiated a study to investigate its options for 'fix, sell or close' strategies for the plant code named 'Project Stone'. Efficiency and cost reduction actions were taken as a result."
She also conceded that workers were given very little notice that the plant was closing.
"The Administrator was appointed on March 31 following the withdrawal of all financial support to Visteon UK Ltd. The Administrator met employees to communicate that Visteon UK Ltd was in administration and to confirm that employees would be made redundant that day," she said.
When asked how long the terms of the EWC cover Visteon employees for after it was signed in 2000, the spokeswoman replied: "Visteon UK Ltd met the terms of the agreement for the duration of employment with Visteon UK Ltd."
Administrator KPMG returned to the High Court today to resume proceedings to evict the workers from the factory were they have mounted a three-week sit in.
According to the leaked document, the Project Stone proposed three "alternative strategies" for Visteon Belfast.
The first - "to allow current products to run out in 2007 with no new business coming into the plant" - was considered but rejected.
The second - to close in 2001 and "exit the pumps business and transfer air/fuel products to a Visteon facility in Central Eastern Europe" - was also not recommended.
Project Stone however opted for the third option which was to downsize the plant. It said: "The main plant would be vacated or decommissioned and support operations would be relocated to the annex area."
In a 'Risk Explanation' outlining problems that may arise during closure, the report said that in the event of closure in 2001: "Risk of industrial dispute is high because strategy is not in line with the EWC [European Worker's Council] agreement. Risk to the customer [Ford] is high because of the likely-hood of industrial action and/or sabotage."
In the case of closure in 2007 it stated: "Risk of industrial dispute is low because EWC agreement is not broken. Risk to the customer is medium because morale inside the plant will decline as time goes on."
The fact that Visteon employees lost their livelihoods and pensions in a matter of hours raises questions as to why they were given such short notice when Visteon had considered closure eight years ago.
John McGuire, Senior Convenor of Unite, said: "When the factory was operating at a loss in 2000 Visteon took over, but Ford was their only customer. This enabled Ford to go elsewhere for cheaper parts and factories would compete to lower prices. One year we were almost breaking even. Ford then asked for Pound 14m in what it said it was owed from Visteon."
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams demanded a probe into the Visteon closure.
"The information which is now emerging needs to be rigorously investigated," he said.
Above article from Belfast Telegraph. Read More
"Ian Fleming" of Ford Motor Company to meet Tony Woodley (Union)to discuss further. Ford requested to meet with our Union.No date of meeting fixed yet.
Joan Ryan the Enfield MP and three Conservatives MPs to meet Prime Minister about Visteon closure on 30th April 2009 at 17:30pm
Union lawyers are preparing all the documents to investigate Ford /Visteon, from contract of employment to the pension.
A letter to "PANORAMA" sent on 23rd April 2009
Dear Sir/madam,
My Name is Stephen Parenti and I was a union Chair at Visteon In Enfield.
I am writing to you in the hope you can help 600 workers, between Visteon Belfast, Visteon Enfield London, and Visteon Basildon Essex.
In June 2000, Ford Motor Co created a subsidiary Company called visteon. Ford employees at these plants were given 'mirrored' contracts, i.e., Ford Motor Company terms and conditions for life.
No other contracts regarding Visteon were ever signed by Ford employees at these plants. Since that date the employees at these plants have assisted Ford/Visteon in every way to facilitate the introduction of new products and adopt 'lean Manufacturing Practices'.
On March 31st 2009 at 2.30pm all employee's at the three plants were informed with 6 minutes notice to leave the premises, as Visteon Uk Ltd had ceased trading and was in receivership. Most of the employees averaged 20 years of service, Some with 30 - 40 years service.
In all, 600 employees now face extreme financial difficulties, the lose of their homes and a uncertain future. Why? Because Ford Motor Company will not honour our contracts or agreements that visteon originally signed.
Steve Gawne was the Director of Visteon UK LTD and planned the closure since 2007 i.e., Project Protea for Belfast and project Kennedy for Enfield. We have documents on our website tuitar.com.
How can a company go into administration when this was planned as far as 2007?
Is this not being fraudulent to avoid paying redundancies and tax?
Steve Gawne even registered at Company House, a new company called Automotive Products in February 2009 for the Same Visteon Plant in Basildon before it went into administration.
How is this possible? Does he have his own laws for himself? And is he above the law?
Well the government seem to think so.
He has the money to reopen the plant but not to pay the ford/visteon workers their redundancy Package.
Also another Visteon plant near to the Basildon Plant Changed its company name a year ago to (VES) Visteon engineering services, They are still operating with the same director
Steve Gawne. How? I'm sure in Europe and America you couldn't get away with it,
Why can they here? Because the employment laws here are very weak.
If a company in Italy goes into administration, the company pay an insurance which will pay employees 4 years of their wages.
In France its 80% of their wages for a one year, Here its 6mins and go away and fend for yourself.
If you go to Visteon.com and look under their ethic's and integrity policy everything they say about their integrity is not worth the paper it is printer on.
They paint a picture for all to see that it is a company that cares, but in reality they are callus, ruthless and fraudulent behind closed doors.
The Unions can only do so much and can not be aggressive in their attack because government has them on a leash.
I am begging on behalf of all the workers if you could possibly help us to investigate what they have done to us and get justice to highlight what is going on in this country, in the treatment of employees who give they life service to be treated without respect.
Many families have been affected and some had both Husband and wife working there which is even a bigger strain for them to endure.
The stress caused to all families involved is immense, worries and arguments are a daily occurrence which isn't good for your health. My wife had a mini Stroke probably due to the stress of me loosing my job. I truly hope you can help its our only hope to get to the truth.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr Stephen Parenti
Monday the 20th April 2009
There was a video conference between Tony Woodley ( Union) and Bob Fleming (Ford) in USA. Ford said, " They have Nothing to do with closure of Visteon (UK)Ltd. It's the decision of Visteon (UK)Ltd". Ford does not want to know.
Wednesday the 22nd April 2009
Enfield Convenor with other union reps will meet Ford / Visteon management here in UK.
Please leave your Name, address, telephone no. and if you know your Union member number with Enfield plant convenor for claims
Visteon union rejects cash offer
The union representing former workers at Visteon has rejected an offer of cash payments by the firm's US owners. Visteon Corporation has said most employees would receive a cash payment equivalent to 16 weeks pay.
Workers in Belfast, Basildon and Enfield have been protesting after being laid off by the firm, which has gone into administration in the UK.
A Unite union spokesman called the offer "derisory" and that it added "insult to injury."
Commenting on the new offer, Visteon Corporation said as well as the immediate cash payment: "Over time additional payments would be made increasing their total severance package to the approximate amounts they would have received under their most recent contract."
Protesting workers in Belfast and Enfield have staged factory sit-ins to highlight their plight.
Earlier, Roger Madison from Unite said the sit-ins had forced the company to the negotiating table as it wanted to sell what was in the factories.
"It may well be that our fight has to move on to Ford, but the sit-in is important at the moment," Mr Madison said.
However a spokesman for Ford reiterated that the company is not responsible for the former Visteon workers.
He said: "Since 2000, Visteon has been an independent company supplying parts to Ford. Ford has no contractual or other responsibility towards the Visteon UK workforce.
"The decision made regarding the plants in Belfast, Basildon and Enfield was made by Visteon's management and not by Ford Motor Company.
"Ford has acted responsibly and met, or exceeded, its commitments under the Visteon agreement of 2000."
Home protests
Meanwhile, some workers have staged protests outside the homes of Visteon managers in Lisburn and Downpatrick. Pickets were held on Monday and again on Wednesday.
Stressing the protests were peaceful, one worker who took part in one of them, denied the action had become too personal.
"It's personal for me that after 30 years I've walked out of the plant with no pension," he said.
"All I want's a job back in Belfast."
Nearly 600 jobs were lost at the three plants - 210 in Belfast - with staff being given less than an hour's notice.
The workers said they were given guarantees on pay and conditions when the company was split off from Ford nine years ago and will only leave when they are offered an adequate deal.
Protesters in Northern Ireland picketed Ford showrooms over the Easter weekend as well as staging a sit-in at the Visteon plant in Finaghy.
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There will be countrywide picketing at Ford garages next saturday 25th April 2009. Your support is welcome.
The Visteon management and union had a meeting on wednesday, 15th April 09.
The management offered 90 days of pay in lieu of notice and some holiday payments. Also said, after selling the assets and paid to the creditors if any money left may be available for workers. Union making arrangement to meet Ford management shortly.
Closure of Visteon UK
Visteon UK was put into administration on 31st March 2009. But a confidential paper entitled Project Protea, obtained by The Sunday Times and reproduced here, suggests planning for the rundown of the Belfast plant had begun at least in the Spring of 2007. When Ford decided to set up Visteon as a separate company nine years ago, workers were worried that if they joined the new firm they might not have the same terms and conditions as their Ford counterparts. Ford gave assurances about the future in a bulletin sent to workers in 2000, which is also reproduced here. It says staff going to Visteon will have "lifetime protection" of pay and conditions.
Visteon UK was put into administration on 31st March 2009. But a confidential paper entitled Project Protea, obtained by The Sunday Times and reproduced here, suggests planning for the rundown of the Belfast plant had begun at least in the Spring of 2007. When Ford decided to set up Visteon as a separate company nine years ago, workers were worried that if they joined the new firm they might not have the same terms and conditions as their Ford counterparts. Ford gave assurances about the future in a bulletin sent to workers in 2000, which is also reproduced here. It says staff going to Visteon will have "lifetime protection" of pay and conditions.
You'll be shocked. Read this document about closing Visteon (UK)
Kevin Nolan: The Convenor of Enfield Plant
"Visteon sack 600 UK workers while bosses get a bonus. Justice for the workers.
Freddy Goodwin had a contract and he got his pension.
We had a contract and we want our pension."
Kevin Nolan: The Convenor of Enfield Plant "Visteon sack 600 UK workers while bosses get a bonus. Justice for the workers.
Freddy Goodwin had a contract and he got his pension.
We had a contract and we want our pension."
Click here to read this document about Visteon (UK)
Click here to read Auto products document
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