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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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Minister must intervene to help preserve Visteon jobs
November 9, 2006 8:24 AM
The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black is to ask the Minister for Enterprise, Innovation and Networks to intervene with Visteon in an attempt to preserve as many of the 600 jobs as possible at their Swansea plant.
Mr. Black has contacted the Presiding Officer to seek permission to ask an urgent question of the Minister next week on plans by Visteon to sell off their Fabian Way factory. The company told union representatives yesterday that it is unwilling to subsidise what it calls its unprofitable UK operation any longer. They outlined a 'restructuring package', which involves the sell off of the Swansea plant so that their UK business can break even.
Mr. Black has twice met union representatives at the Swansea plant to discuss the progress of talks with management. He has also raised the issue in the Assembly before, pressing the Minister to actively intervene to help management resolve their difficulties.
"These are uncertain times for workforce at the Swansea plant," said Mr. Black. "Although there is a belief that a sale to a company such as GKN could still result in a future for the business in Swansea, there is concern that any takeover will lead to job losses and an erosion of terms and conditions for many employees."
"Now, that the intentions of Visteon are public, the Welsh Assembly Government needs to actively engage all parties in talks to see what they can do to protect as many jobs as possible and to secure the future of the plant. A Regional Selective Assistance Grant has been on the table for some time but has not been taken up by management. Perhaps this offer can be modified to meet the needs of any new owners so as to help underwrite the factory's future."
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