Unions to ask for Peugeot boycott |
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Thu, 08 Jun 2006 09:10
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LONDON - Workers at Peugeot Citroen's Ryton plant, which is o close down with a loss of 2,300 jobs, are planning to protest the launch of the new 207 model on Thursday. Union leaders have accused the company of showing a lack of social sensitivity and going ahead with the nationwide launch.
"Once again Peugeot are showing their real side. Whilst sacking 2,300 people in Coventry, they are rubbing workers' noses in it by 'celebrating' the car which will make us all redundant," said Jim O'Boyle, a union official at the Ryton plant.
"Peugeot's sales have already slumped both this year and compared to a year ago." He was referring to the fact that two major unions are planning to urge Britons to boycott Peugeot models altogether. Amicus and the Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) have said that they had already taken out full-page advertisements in the Friday editions of Daily Mirror and the Guardian.
However, Peugeot has said that it is very mindful of the social atmosphere. "Our whole approach to dealing with this has been very mindful of the sensitivities in what is a very difficult time for our employees, in no way is this rubbing people's noses in it," said John Goodman, spokesman for PSA Peugeot Citroen. "I fail to see any legitimate reason for this action against a Coventry business."
Meanwhile Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that Peugeot must have a look at union proposals to keep open its Ryton factory. "I certainly agree that it's important the company give the union's alternative proposals to keep Ryton open their most serious consideration and we will do whatever we can to make sure that they do," Blair told MPs yesterday. "In the end this will have to be a commercial decision and I think everyone understands that."
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Peugeot plans to close down Ryton plant in the Midlands 