Union accuses Ford of betrayal after unveiling plans to shut Dagenham stamping plant

Britain’s biggest union accused Ford bosses of betrayal today after the car giant unveiled plans to shut its stamping plant in Dagenham.

Unite chief Len McCluskey vowed to fight the closure of the Southampton factory and facilities at Dagenham, which could put up to 1,400 jobs at risk.

He said: “Ford has betrayed its workforce and its loyal customer base. Unite is going to fight these closures.

“Only a few months ago Ford was promising staff a new transit model for Southampton in 2014. The planned closures will really hurt the local economies and the supply chain will be badly hit - up to 10,000 jobs could be at risk.”

Ford said it was moving to shut its facilities at Chequers Lane, Dagenham, and Southampton in a bid to tackle the “severe and persistent economic crisis” on European markets.

The car maker expects to make a loss of at least $1.5billion within its European division this year.

Ford of Europe chief executive Stephen Odell said: “We have to act quickly and decisively to address the collapse in consumer demand in Europe today and position Ford for profitable growth tomorrow.”