Van workers to go on short time

A company making vans in Bedfordshire has told its workforce to expect to have up to eight days downtime without pay in the run up to Christmas.

Managers at IBC, the plant in Luton owned by General Motors, have confirmed the amount of downtime.

Some workers have claimed they have already lost 15 days without pay.

A spokesman blamed a market downturn and said many businesses could not buy new vans so they were going to suspend production for eight days.

The Transport and General Workers Union which represents many workers at the plant said it was talking to managers.

A spokesman said: "We're in detailed and in-depth talks with the company on management of the down days to secure full pay for our members which is very important.

"These discussions are on-going and have not reached a conclusion yet."