Third week of shutdown rumours at Southampton's Transit factory

The Daily Echo understands an extra week of downtime and basic pay may be on the cards for February.

This latest scare coincides with a mass meeting to update staff on their pay deal, due to be held today.

The new fears have arisen after the company announced plans to run the factory on a single shift and put workers on a two-week shutdown.

Employees say they believe this third week of downtime for next month will be announced during the next few days.

One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “All kinds of rumours are flying about and everyone is sure we are going to get another week on shutdown.

“This is costing some of us £300 a month in lost bonuses and shift allowances and we don’t know how much longer we can take it.

“I think the company is trying to squeeze us out so they have a much smaller workforce ahead of the future changes – everyone is very suspicious.”

Another worker said: “Everyone is saying more downtime is on its way and I can’t see where it will end.”

A Ford spokesman said: “I cannot confirm or deny this. I understand a company bulletin will be released shortly but I cannot comment on its content.

“The company has taken what action is necessary to address the softening of the market.

“The effects of the economic downturn have been shared between Kocaeli (Turkey) and Southampton. This has already resulted in hundreds of job losses in Turkey.”

The first sign of question marks over the giant Ford site came in July when the Daily Echo exclusively published a leaked company memo that revealed the future of the Swaythling operation was under review.

Since that story broke the company has shed 125 shortterm workers, put workers on a four-day week and had a monthlong Christmas shutdown.

It also confirmed plans to slash output from 75,000 vehicles a year to 35,000 chassis cabs, cut jobs and export production of the iconic Transit to Turkey.

This proposal will go before American bosses this year.

Ford claims the plan represents a multi-million pound investment and is the only way to secure the future of the plant, while union bosses claim it will lead to the factory’s eventual closure.