Ex Ford/Visteon pensioners protest in Swansea

A protest took place outside the Ford car showroom and sales centre 'Days' in Swansea. It involved well over 100 ex-Ford/Visteon pensioners from the Swansea plant which is now owned by Linamar. Most of those who attended are retired but also included those still working in the plant.

When Ford plants were 'spun-off' to Visteon, the workers were promised 'lifetime protection' of their pensions. But now 3,000 workers face pension cuts and their pension going into the Pension Protection Fund, because the Visteon fund is in deficit. The protest is part of a campaign to force Ford to accept its responsibilities and protect the pensions.

It came after four organising meetings of the Swansea Visteon Pension Action Group (SVPAG), each attended by about 150 pensioners, which have been supported by the Linamar shop stewards committee and the Unite 4/1 branch at the plant.

Linamar plant convenor Rob Williams spoke at the rally after the protest, as well as Bethan Jenkins, Plaid Cymru Assembly Member, Alec Thraves, Swansea trade union council and Socialist Party and a steward from the PCS in the magistrates courts.