Unite union flags as occupying workers address demo from balcony of Visteon plant at Ponders End
In 2000, the Ford Motor Company separated off its supply arm as Visteon - one of the signs on the plant still reads "An Enterprise of Ford Motor Company Limited." Workers were given contracts mirroring those they had had from Ford and were reassured that they would receive the same pensions and redundancy arrangements they had enjoyed previously. But at Visteon's three UK plants - Belfast, Basildon and Enfield - the company reneged on these promises Workers there, some of whom had been working for Ford for 30 or more years, were told on 31 March 2009 that they were out of a job. The meeting lasted just over 5 minutes and they were given an hour to take any personal possessions and leave work immediately - without pay. Workers at the Belfast and Enfield plants occupied them refusing to leave until they got what Ford and Visteon promised them. Supported by their Union, Unite, they achieved some of their demands after several weeks of occupation and discussion. Supporters, including family members, friends and trade unionists came to a series of demonstrations to support the workers who were locked inside the plant.
Size: 3347px × 5040px
Location: Visteonm Ponders End, Enfield, London, England, UK
Photo credit: © Peter Marshall / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: car, closure, factory, flags, ford, jobs., lock-, occupation, parts, ponders, protest, recession, sacked, solidarity, trade, union, unite, visteon, workers
