Treatment of Visteon Workers - "brutal" - Unite activist sacked.

Visteon condemned for "brutal" treatment of workers

Angela Smith MP delivered told Parliament last night that the treatment of former Visteon factory workers was "brutal".

The Labour MP for Basildon, told the House of Commons about the plight of about 170 employees, in Basildon, who lost their jobs when the car parts firm went bust almost a month ago.

She said: “The company was brutal. It gave employees only a few minutes to clear their belongings. Being unemployed at such short notice is so dreadful, more than you can imagine. Visteon has behaved absolutely disgracefully.”

Linmar Convenor sacked - then re-instated

In another twist in the Visteon story Rob Williams, a Unite convenor of the Linamar car parts factory in Swansea, was dissmissed earlier this week.

Rob was told that he was being sacked for “irretrievable breakdown of trust”.

Day shift production workers walked out at the blatant victimisation. Management also called in police to try to forcibly remove Rob from the building but workers blockaded the union office where Rob had locked himself in.

Rob Williams has been active in supporting the sacked Visteon workers.

Supporters say that his sacking is linked to his prominant role in the Visteon campaign.

Rob Williams said: "The company called me into the office and the plant manager and the group president gave me a letter just terminating me, without representation, without any disciplinary procedure.

They accepted that I haven't committed any acts of gross misconduct and basically said it's because everything they try and do in the plant the union challenges, so it's blatantly for trade union activities.

Workers Uniting Group now understands that following negotiations between Unite and Linamar Rob now remains in his job and as Convenor of the factory.More negotiations have been scheduled for a week's time (Wednesday 6 May).

Messages of support to Rob Williams: robbo@redwills.freeserve.co.uk