Trade union Unite is calling on automotive giant Stellantis to commit to the future of its factory in Ellesmere Port with the plant currently under review. Tony McDonough reports
Trade union Unite is calling on Stellantis chief executive Carlos Tavares to make a clear commitment to the future of its factory in Ellesmere Port.
Stellantis is currently conducting a strategic review of the plant, close to the River Mersey, which employs more than 1,000 people producing electric vans. The 60-year-old site had previously assembled the Vauxhall Astra.
Electric van production only began at the factory in September 2023 following a £130m investment. This has also led to a £10m investment into a new dock facility on the Mersey that brings in parts from Spain.
However, earlier this year Stellantis questioned the UK Government’s commitment to supporting EV production and warned the plant could close.
Unite says it is expecting the strategic review to complete later this month and is calling on the company to end the uncertainty this has caused for hundreds of workers.
It describes Mr Tavares’ management strategies as “ultra-aggressive”. This, the union adds, has already led to repeated threats to UK plants and have caused Stellantis workers in Italy to take national strike action for the first time in 20 years.
It claims Unite members at Luton have delivered on every target that has been asked of them to prepare the plant to start production of electric vehicles in 2025. Similarly, Ellesmere Port has already transitioned to full electric production.
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Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It’s time for Stellantis to commit to the future of both the Luton and Ellesmere Port plants and end the climate of fear and rumour they have created through this strategic review.
“Carlos Tavares needs to avoid indulging in counterproductive threats and game playing that will only damage Stellantis.
“If he threatens either plant then he will be met with the collective strength of Unite’s members who will have my full, unequivocal backing and the whole weight of the union behind them.
“Unite is already having constructive discussions with government and industry to reform the ZEV mandate to protect jobs. Much more must be done, but the transition to electrification will not be achieved by threatening workers.”