Ford workers ‘numb’ after Dagenham closure blow

Ford workers were said to be “gutted” today after the car giant announced the closure of their stamping plant in Dagenham.

Unite rep Mark Stephens said staff were both “numb” and “angry” as management moved to shut the 750-staff factory in Chequers Lane next year.

The planned closure is the biggest blow to the 4,000-worker factory for a decade, after Ford pulled the plug on car production in Dagenham in 2002.

Mr Stephens, 49, told the Post: “This is a severe blow. There was no indication of what was coming.

“There’s a bit of anger and a lot more shock. People are just numb and absolutely gutted.”

Ford bosses said they were moving to shut its facilities in Chequers Lane and Southampton in a bid to tackle the “severe and persistent economic crisis” on European markets.

The car maker expects to incur a loss of at least $1.5billion within its European division but make a profit overall on world markets this year.