Honda: Workers to march against plant closure in Swindon

Car giant’s decision will lead to thousands of job losses

Thousands work at the Honda plant in Swindon (PA)

Workers at a Honda plant in Swindon will stage a protest on Saturday as they urge the car giant to keep the factory open.

The Japanese car manufacturer shocked staff and politicians when it announced in February that the plant would close in 2021.

Unite, the trade union which has organised the march, said many thousands of jobs would be lost in the supply chain as well as 3,500 at the factory.

Community leaders and politicians are expected to join the demonstration.

”This is a world class plant with a loyal, dedicated workforce that have earned and deserve a secure future,” Steve Turner, Unite’s assistant general secretary, said.

“It’s not just Honda workers we are fighting for. We have an extended supply chain dependent on the plant and we know from previous experience that when one skilled manufacturing job goes, four more follow elsewhere in the economy.

“That’s why we are fighting day and night to prevent that happening. This plant is viable and should have a bright future. The shift towards electric vehicles should signal a strong, secure, long-term future for Honda in Swindon and this is the case we are and will continue to make to both Honda and the UK government.”

Workers based across the country, including Wales, the Midlands and the South East, rely on contracts from Honda.

The closure of the Swindon plant is one of a number of recent blows to the UK’s car industry.

Ford has said it plans to cut jobs when it combines the headquarters of two divisions, Ford UK and Ford Credit, to a site in Dunton, Essex.

And in February Nissan u-turned on its decision to build its new X-Trail at its Sunderland plant.

The same month the car industry’s trade body warned of a “clear and present danger” from a no-deal Brexit after it was revealed that UK car exports have slumped by one-fifth.

Additional reporting by agencies