Ford faces UK strike threat

Workers at Aveley create prototype models

Car giant Ford could face a national strike in the UK in a row over plans to shut a factory in Essex.

The company wants to close the site in Aveley, Essex, which produces prototype models and employs 550 staff.

Ford says new technology has reduced the number of model vehicles required before production.

But unions say the company has breached agreements over the future of the site, which opened in 1956.

Workers at the factory voted on Monday to take industrial action over the job losses and unions warned they will hold a ballot on industrial action across the country.

'Anger and bitterness'

Ford also has engine plants at Dagenham in Essex and Bridgend in South Wales and a transmission plant in Halewood, Liverpool.

It runs a foundry at Leamington Spa in Warwickshire and assembly plants for Ford, Aston Martin and Jaguar cars at Newport Pagnell, Bloxham, Southampton, Coventry and Birmingham.

Dave Osborne, national official of the Transport and General Workers Union, said: "We will give the company a chance to honour agreements, otherwise we will move towards a national consultative ballot."

Union officials said workers at Aveley were angry at the planned closure of the site in August this year.

About 150 factory and office jobs would be lost while the remaining staff would be transferred to other locations in Essex.

Mr Osborne said: "We hope the company will reconsider its decision because there is a real sense of anger and bitterness at the closure.

"We hope Ford will reflect seriously and undertake negotiations with the unions to secure the future of Aveley."