Basildon workers picket Ford showrooms

Eleanor Donne spoke to Frank Jepson, convenor and Robert Fitch of Basildon Visteon.

On Easter Monday in Dagenham, Romford, Billericay, Grays and Basildon, anyone dropping in to a Ford showroom to look at a new car got more than the usual sales pitch. Sacked Visteon workers and supporters, who have been picketing their plant in Basildon were outside.

In Dagenham and Grays the showrooms are in built-up areas and the protests had a good impact, with passers-by taking leaflets and showing support. It was clear that the managers at most of the showrooms were rattled by this action - although in Grays the manager offered to shut the place for the day in support!

In Romford the boss called the police, demanding they remove the leafletters. The police had to point out that no laws were being broken and let the protesters carry on.

Other Ford showrooms across the country were picketed by fellow trade unionists, including action in Bristol, Nottingham and Glasgow.

The phone lines to Ford head office will definitely have been buzzing following the protests. This is the kind of publicity that Ford could do without and keeps up the pressure on Ford and Visteon before more talks between Unite and Visteon.

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In The Socialist 22 April 2009:

Fight the cuts!