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| Car giant Ford to cut 850 workers | Car giant Ford to cut 850 workers |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Car giant Ford is to cut up to 850 jobs at its UK operations by May. | Car giant Ford is to cut up to 850 jobs at its UK operations by May. |
| Between 400 and 500 of the posts are to go at the Transit plant in Southampton. The firm said it hoped the losses would be met through voluntary redundancies. | Between 400 and 500 of the posts are to go at the Transit plant in Southampton. The firm said it hoped the losses would be met through voluntary redundancies. |
| Bosses will also renegotiate a recent pay deal struck at the south coast site and have postponed a decision on the future Transit production at the plant. | Bosses will also renegotiate a recent pay deal struck at the south coast site and have postponed a decision on the future Transit production at the plant. |
| The GMB union accused Ford of "going back on its agreement" over a 5.25% pay increase agreed late last year. | The GMB union accused Ford of "going back on its agreement" over a 5.25% pay increase agreed late last year. |
| The layoffs represent nearly 7% of Ford's UK work force of 12,900 - with almost half of the Southampton factory's staff of 1,100 affected. | The layoffs represent nearly 7% of Ford's UK work force of 12,900 - with almost half of the Southampton factory's staff of 1,100 affected. |
| Gary Alexander, a worker at the factory for 20 years, said: "It's doom and gloom here at the moment and I think this factory's days are numbered. | Gary Alexander, a worker at the factory for 20 years, said: "It's doom and gloom here at the moment and I think this factory's days are numbered. |
| "They [Ford] went back on their word about the pay offer and they said there would be no more job losses. I have only worked here two years so I hope it is not last in first out Ford worker | "They [Ford] went back on their word about the pay offer and they said there would be no more job losses. I have only worked here two years so I hope it is not last in first out Ford worker |
| "They said the redundancies will be voluntary but they will not get that many." | "They said the redundancies will be voluntary but they will not get that many." |
| He ruled out a possible strike by saying "nobody wants that". | He ruled out a possible strike by saying "nobody wants that". |
| Justin Bowden, GMB union officer, said: "Ford of Europe made a profit in excess of £1bn in 2008. | Justin Bowden, GMB union officer, said: "Ford of Europe made a profit in excess of £1bn in 2008. |
| "The pay offer reflects last year's rate of inflation and the massive contribution to that profit by the UK Ford workers. | "The pay offer reflects last year's rate of inflation and the massive contribution to that profit by the UK Ford workers. |
| "Yet again Ford is going back on its agreement with its workforce and this time it is on pay." | "Yet again Ford is going back on its agreement with its workforce and this time it is on pay." |
| Another worker at the Southampton factory said a mass meeting had been planned for 1000 GMT.A mass meeting is planned at the Southampton plant at 1000 GMT | Another worker at the Southampton factory said a mass meeting had been planned for 1000 GMT.A mass meeting is planned at the Southampton plant at 1000 GMT |
| "I have only worked here two years so I hope it is not last in, first out," he added. | "I have only worked here two years so I hope it is not last in, first out," he added. |
| "But apparently it isn't going to be like that and they are looking to limit any compulsory redundancies." | "But apparently it isn't going to be like that and they are looking to limit any compulsory redundancies." |
| Sandra Gidley, Lib Dem MP for Romsey, said the announcement was "tragic news" and claimed the government had been "slow to act". | |
| She added: "This is tragic news for the plant, the workers and the city. | She added: "This is tragic news for the plant, the workers and the city. |
| 'Major challenges' | 'Major challenges' |
| "That is bad enough, but Ford are creating extra uncertainty by renegotiating the recent pay deal. | "That is bad enough, but Ford are creating extra uncertainty by renegotiating the recent pay deal. |
| "I have been consistently raising concerns for some months, but the government have been slow to act." | "I have been consistently raising concerns for some months, but the government have been slow to act." |
| She said she was seeking a meeting with Business Secretary Peter Mandelson over the situation. | She said she was seeking a meeting with Business Secretary Peter Mandelson over the situation. |
| Ford bosses blamed the "unprecedented" economic conditions for its decision. | Ford bosses blamed the "unprecedented" economic conditions for its decision. |
| John Fleming, Ford of Europe chairman and CEO, said: "As demand across the industry continues to fall, we are facing some immediate and major challenges. | John Fleming, Ford of Europe chairman and CEO, said: "As demand across the industry continues to fall, we are facing some immediate and major challenges. |
| "Those companies which act quickly in taking the right decisions will be those who not only survive but who emerge strongest from this deep recession." | "Those companies which act quickly in taking the right decisions will be those who not only survive but who emerge strongest from this deep recession." |
| The announcement comes as new car registrations fell by 30% in January, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said on Thursday. | The announcement comes as new car registrations fell by 30% in January, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said on Thursday. |