Jaguar workers support Mail campaign for a government loan

Jan 20 2009 by Nick McCarthy, Birmingham Mail

WORRIED Jaguar workers have backed a Birmingham Mail campaign that demands government action to help safeguard their future.

Workers are anxiously awaiting news of a vital multi-million pound government loan that would help both Jaguar and Land Rover through the recession.

Last week the Mail, backed by four other leading regional newspapers, called on the government to support the luxury Midland car makers.

Failure would be catastrophic, with 16,000 jobs directly affected and at least another 60,000 in the supply chain.

The crisis-hit vehicle manufacturer is currently going through a fortnight of talks between unions and management over proposed new cutbacks in the face of a drastic sales downturn. The proposed cuts were first revealed in Saturday’s Birmingham Mail.

Union sources say among the measures proposed are a four day week, a reduction in shift payments, scrapping holiday bonuses, a pay freeze, an increase in employee pension contributions and around 500 more voluntary redundancies, but would save 1,800 jobs.

Worker Allan Sly, a 28-year-old dad of two from nearby Castle Vale, said it was a worrying time.

The group leader, who has worked at the plant since he was 16, said everyone had to get on with it.