A British union has demanded involvement in all stages of “the intended” sale of Jaguar and Land Rover including any final decision on who buys the iconic British brands.

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The demands are included in a letter to Ford Europe head Lewis Booth from Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of trade union Unite.


Woodley reckons the potential sale could dwarf the Ford Dagenham car plant, Vauxhall (GM Europe) and told Booth “the last thing that you should consider is an auction in which the highest bidder wins, irrespective of the consequences.”


A plan put to Ford calls for continued work at the existing sites, minimum 10-year deals with Ford and suppliers, the automaker to retain a “sizeable” stake in any new company controlling Jaguar and Land Rover, and protected conditions and conditions for affected unionised workers.


Woodley also demanded government intervention if required.


“My union will have no hesitation in calling on the UK government to directly intervene if it is necessary to ensure the long term future of manufacturing plants” he said in the letter, according to Unite.

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