We'll Fight To Save Stadco Plant

Unite reps have vowed to “move heaven and earth” to protect 165 threatened jobs at Coventry’s Stadco plant.

Unite members met with bosses last week to look at alternatives to closing the car parts factory, which could shut as early as September next year.

The closure was proposed by management last week, as part of cost-cutting measures to survive the downturn.

But union leaders branded the news as a ‘complete betrayal’ and are now determined to fight the plans which, if given the go-ahead, will see the first wave of redundancies taking place in February.

Coventry Unite leader Adrian Ross said: “We did not gain any further details as such from the company, but management were keen to stress that closing the factory was still only a proposal and they want to continue talks with us.

“At this stage we do not know whether we will be able to keep the company in Coventry, but we promise that we will move heaven and earth to keep these jobs in the city.

“There is tremendous potential for Stadco in Coventry. It was not that long ago that they were looking to get a new site in the city and we believe the business opportunities for the company in Coventry are excellent when you consider that most of their work is for Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin. For us, closure is not an option.

“The workers have made tremendous sacrifices for the company over the last year. Recently the staff have taken a four per cent pay cut and the shop floor have been working on reduced hours and this has been to protect the company. If they were to lose their jobs now, it would be incredibly unfair. They deserve better than this.”