‘One common call’

Unite said today (Monday February 20), that it was ‘heartening’ that MPs from across the House of Commons spoke up to back Vauxhall workers, as business secretary Greg Clark addressed MPs about the threatened sale of Vauxhall to the French PSA Group.

“These are very anxious days for the thousands of skilled men and women in Vauxhall, and the working class communities relying on GM’s supply chain for their livelihoods,” commented Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said.

“So it was helpful to hear Greg Clark update the Commons on developments today. It is absolutely vital that GM and Peugeot understand that the UK government is prepared to move heaven and earth to safeguard our plants.

“I repeat, the UK government must match, if not more, whatever political and financial support that the French and German governments are giving their plants and workers.

Quintessentially British brand

“It was also excellent to hear the business secretary acknowledge size of the UK market for GM. Vauxhall is a quintessentially British brand with a century-long history of building cars in this country.

“That history, this workforce and generations of customer loyalty has ensured that the UK is GM’s single biggest European market by a significant margin – any buyer must understand you will not be allowed to cherry pick the UK market while closing British plants.

“I urge the Prime Minister to join me in making one, common call to both Peugeot’s CEO Carlos Tavares, and to General Motors. Quite simply it is this, support British jobs to keep your place the British market. These are the points I will certainly be making when I meet Mr Tavares later this week.”