Ministers back Jaguar workers
John Prescott has expressed his support for Jaguar workers after they lobbied the Labour Party conference in Brighton.
A number of workers from Coventry’s Browns Lane plant attended the conference after Jaguar’s parent company, Ford, announced it was cutting 1,150 jobs at the historic West Midlands plant.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is well known for driving Jaguars himself, said he backed their bid to persuade the American car manufacturers to reconsider their decision and expressed the importance of car manufacturing staying in Britain.
“These are quality cars built, produced and designed here in Britain. We want to make sure they continue to be built, produced and designed here,” Mr Prescott said.
“I have got one car and I have got this car, a Government car, and I am damn proud of them.
“We should always be about excellence and this is the mark of excellence.”
Mr Prescott’s sentiments were echoed by Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Patricia Hewitt, who told the conference that she had asked the company to “sit down with workers and their unions, to listen to their proposals, and to have real discussions about how we secure the company’s future in the West Midlands”.
She added: “Jaguar’s decision a week ago to halt production at Browns Lane was a huge blow to the workers – many of whom are here today. And we’re not going to turn our backs on a great British brand – and a great British workforce.”
Ms Hewitt went on to state that the government are putting into law the European Directive on Information and Consultation, which she views as “a real opportunity for Trade Unions to be partners in building success in the workplace”.
Her comments were welcomed by the TGWU’s Tony Woodley, who said his union would be backing the Building Prosperity for All document without any changes.
He also added his support for “real vote winners”, especially increasing bank holidays, ending two tier work forces and supporting the EU directive.
Additionally, a law on corporate manslaughters would, he said, stop employers “quite literally getting away with murder,” adding that those responsible “should face jail time”.
The conference is due to debate an emergency motion on the closure of the Browns Lane plant later today.
