Union bosses are calling on Stellantis to reverse its decision to shut its Luton commercial vehicle plant, given that it was made just days before CEO Carlos Tavares’s shock resignation.
Unite has called the decision, which put 1100 jobs at risk, “one final example of Tavares’s failed strategy” and said it “must be halted as the company embarks on the hunt for a new CEO and a new direction”.
However, Stellantis has committed to “the continuity of the ongoing projects that have been already communicated” under the guidance of chairman John Elkann and an interim executive committee.
Unite argued that until Tavares's successor is appointed (due in the first half of 2025), all previous major decisions should be halted.
It said it would meet with Stellantis representatives and table counter proposals today (Friday).
Stellantis said the decision to close the historic Vauxhall factory and move all of its UK production to Ellesmere Port would “potentially contribute to greater production efficiency” – which, it said, would also allow it to meet increasingly stringent zero-emmission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets set by the UK government.
However, just a few hundred jobs would be moved north.
Redundancy notices had already been issued, according to Unite; general secretary Sharon Graham said they should be withdrawn, given the changed circumstances since the decision was announced.
She said this would enable workers, management and government to “negotiate the future of this vital electric vehicle factory” without “a gun to their heads”.
Stellantis previously confirmed that consultation for affected workers was under way, with those unable to make the move being offered retraining or potentially offered jobs at neighbouring businesses.
The Luton plant has a history dating back nearly 120 years. Since Vauxhall became a part of Stellantis in 2021, it has produced medium and large vans for various Stellantis brands.
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