Union warn of strikes over Ford Bridgend jobs threat

Nearly 1,800 workers at Ford's engine plant in Bridgend are "one step closer to strike action" amid concern over more than 1,000 potential job losses.

Reports emerged last night that company plans for the next five years at the site implied two-thirds of jobs could be lost.

A document seen by the BBC today appeared to confirm that production levels at the plant would drop substantially by 2021, which would imply heavy job losses.

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"The American car giant currently manufactures 655,000 engines in Bridgend but the contracts for these are coming to an end and there is only guaranteed work for 125,000 in future," says the broadcaster.

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said the reports of more than a 1,000 job losses were "a worst case scenario", while Ford said there were no firm plans for mass redundancies.

A spokesman told Reuters: "The anticipated production volume of engines from Bridgend remains healthy in the upcoming years, with associated labour requirements expected to be similar to today's level."

In a statement realised to the BBC, Ford said its five-year statement "shows healthy volumes to occupy the current workforce over the next two to three years".

It added: "Beyond that, identified workload is reduced and whilst such a forecast is not unusual, given the cyclical nature of our business, it is a concern, and we fully understand that."

While it didn't confirm any cuts, the company did say that engines made in Bridgend cost six per cent more to produce than at its plant in Dagenham.

"It attributes this to absence, non-performance and work practices including paying staff allowances they are not entitled to and regular job rotation," says the BBC.

Ford's statement added: "It goes without saying, that in order to attract new business, the Bridgend operation would need to ensure its competitiveness, and addressing some of the current concerns relating to the plant's efficiency would be high on the agenda."

Andy Richards of Unite union accused Ford bosses of "weasel words" and said meetings on Wednesday meant workers were "one step closer to strike action in defence of their jobs".