GMB demands cabinet secretary meeting after Bridgend JLR engine announcement

The production of Jaguar Land Rover engines at Bridgend’s Ford Engine plant will end three months earlier than expected in September 2020. The union for motor industry workers, GMB, says the news could see more than 1,100 jobs lost at Bridgend Ford alone, and has requested an urgent meeting with the cabinet secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, to discuss how best safeguard jobs in the motor industry.

Jeff Beck, GMB regional organiser, said: “The news we most feared been announced in Bridgend today. The result could see over 1,100 jobs lost In Bridgend ford alone. Unless alternate contracts are found, this will have a devastating and far reaching impact on the communities in and around Bridgend as well as across South Wales as a whole.

“We will be working alongside our colleagues in Unite and the Welsh Government to find alternative work for the plant. GMB has requested an urgent meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, at the earliest opportunity to discuss how best safeguard jobs in the motor industry.”