Union intervention saves more than 100 car plant jobs

More than 100 workers employed on the DHL logistics contract at Jaguar Land Rovers’ plant at Halewood in Merseyside have had their jobs saved thanks to the intervention of Unite, the UK and Ireland’s largest union.

The workers, who are employed by the employment agency Staffline, were informed they were to be “let go” after the JLR site announced that it was temporarily ceasing production during the coronavirus crisis.

However, following the intervention of Unite and the support of local Labour MP Maria Eagle, Staffline has reversed its decision and the workers will, instead, be furloughed on 80% of their pay.

Unite regional officer Alison Spencer Scragg said: “Following Unite’s intervention and the support of Maria Eagle, I am pleased that Staffline and DHL have reversed their decision and that these workers have been furloughed rather than be made redundant.

“During these unprecedented times it is imperative that employers act responsibly and utilise the Government job retention scheme wherever possible.

“If this group of workers had been made redundant then, given the present economic circumstances, it would have been very difficult for them to find alternative work and those affected would have been forced onto universal credit.”