Menu
03/04/2014
Visteon Pension Deal Agreed
Unite has said it has reached an agreement with a now-closed factory in West Belfast over pension payments for former staff.
The Visteon factory closed five years ago and at the time, the decision led to a number of protests by former workers.
More than 200 jobs were lost when the car parts plant closed in 2009, with workers having only been given an hour's notice of the closure. A sit-in protest was staged at the facility over a pension agreement.
It has been claimed that, when Visteon took over the factory from Ford in 2000, the company promised to equal the compensation promised to them under their previous workers in the event of redundancy.
Now, Unite says it has reached an agreement with Ford, which includes staff from factories in Basildon, Essex, Enfield, north London and Swansea, as well as the Belfast site.
In a statement, the union said: "Unite has concluded an agreement with Ford to make a settlement offer to eligible ex-Visteon employees who filed legal claims in connection with reductions in their pensions resulting from Visteon UK being put into administration in 2009.
"The settlement would avoid further expense for participants in the case and will settle the legal claims that these individuals have made against Ford.
"Unite and Ford have been involved in lengthy but constructive discussions to reach a position where a settlement has been offered. Details of the settlement are confidential and a private matter for those directly involved."
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell welcomed the news, saying: "This great news is a testament to the dogged determination of the workers who were made redundant back in 2009.
"Their relentless campaign for compensation following a devaluation of up to 40% of some worker pensions has now ended in success and I want to congratulate them on that."
(JP)
The Visteon factory closed five years ago and at the time, the decision led to a number of protests by former workers.
More than 200 jobs were lost when the car parts plant closed in 2009, with workers having only been given an hour's notice of the closure. A sit-in protest was staged at the facility over a pension agreement.
It has been claimed that, when Visteon took over the factory from Ford in 2000, the company promised to equal the compensation promised to them under their previous workers in the event of redundancy.
Now, Unite says it has reached an agreement with Ford, which includes staff from factories in Basildon, Essex, Enfield, north London and Swansea, as well as the Belfast site.
In a statement, the union said: "Unite has concluded an agreement with Ford to make a settlement offer to eligible ex-Visteon employees who filed legal claims in connection with reductions in their pensions resulting from Visteon UK being put into administration in 2009.
"The settlement would avoid further expense for participants in the case and will settle the legal claims that these individuals have made against Ford.
"Unite and Ford have been involved in lengthy but constructive discussions to reach a position where a settlement has been offered. Details of the settlement are confidential and a private matter for those directly involved."
SDLP leader Alasdair McDonnell welcomed the news, saying: "This great news is a testament to the dogged determination of the workers who were made redundant back in 2009.
"Their relentless campaign for compensation following a devaluation of up to 40% of some worker pensions has now ended in success and I want to congratulate them on that."
(JP)
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 March 2011
Visteon Workers In London Protests
Former workers at the Visteon car plant in west Belfast will be attending protests in London. The demonstration coincides with MPs meeting with senior management from Ford. The US firm took over the former Ford plant in 2000. 200 people lost their jobs when the Visteon plant closed two years ago with just one hour’s notice.
Visteon Workers In London Protests
Former workers at the Visteon car plant in west Belfast will be attending protests in London. The demonstration coincides with MPs meeting with senior management from Ford. The US firm took over the former Ford plant in 2000. 200 people lost their jobs when the Visteon plant closed two years ago with just one hour’s notice.
03 July 2009
Picket Hits Dublin Port Terminal
Workers at a Dublin Port terminal have undertaken industrial action over the company's plans to introduce compulsory redundancies and cuts in terms and conditions.
Picket Hits Dublin Port Terminal
Workers at a Dublin Port terminal have undertaken industrial action over the company's plans to introduce compulsory redundancies and cuts in terms and conditions.
16 April 2009
Visteon Settlement Looms
Most of the protesting workers at a doomed Belfast factory are to be offered individual cash payments. The move comes amid efforts to halt a sit-in and protest by the former workers at Visteon Corporation's plant in west Belfast.
Visteon Settlement Looms
Most of the protesting workers at a doomed Belfast factory are to be offered individual cash payments. The move comes amid efforts to halt a sit-in and protest by the former workers at Visteon Corporation's plant in west Belfast.
05 February 2009
Ford To Axe Up To 850 Jobs
Car giant Ford is to axe up to 850 jobs in the UK, it has been announced. The decision to cut the jobs - which include between 400 and 500 at the Transit van plant in Southampton - came as a response to the "serious economic situation". The workers are to be offered voluntary redundancy packages, and the Southampton cuts are to take place by May.
Ford To Axe Up To 850 Jobs
Car giant Ford is to axe up to 850 jobs in the UK, it has been announced. The decision to cut the jobs - which include between 400 and 500 at the Transit van plant in Southampton - came as a response to the "serious economic situation". The workers are to be offered voluntary redundancy packages, and the Southampton cuts are to take place by May.
29 October 2008
Ford Announce £70m Bridgend Investment
A multi-million pound investment has been announced at a South Wales car manufacturing facility. Car-maker Ford announced the £70 million venture for its engine plant in Bridgend, to produce a new generation of low CO2 petrol engines.
Ford Announce £70m Bridgend Investment
A multi-million pound investment has been announced at a South Wales car manufacturing facility. Car-maker Ford announced the £70 million venture for its engine plant in Bridgend, to produce a new generation of low CO2 petrol engines.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A mild and breezy Christmas Day. Also rather cloudy but mainly dry with a few bright or sunny spells developing, more especially over parts of Antrim and County Down. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy, mainly dry at first this evening but then occasional outbreaks of rain developing overnight. Light southwest winds, and staying mild. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
