Up to 400 jobs to go at Ford Bridgend as voluntary redundancy programme launches
Car giant Ford has announced a voluntary redundancy programme at its Bridgend plant which will lead to the loss of hundreds of jobs.
The company said a voluntary separation programme will affect hourly and salaried employees at the engine plant in south Wales.
The move, which Ford said was part of its ongoing actions to create a "sustainably profitable business" in Europe, will affect between 350 and 400 jobs.
A Ford spokesman said: "The programme follows discussion with the union on matching the plant's labour requirements to the projected production volume expectations in the near term.
"It is anticipated that the majority of employees who apply and are selected for voluntary separation under this programme will leave Ford employment in the third and fourth quarters of 2019."
The company announced plans last month for a major shake-up of its operations in the UK and mainland company.
In a statement, Unite Wales said it will "continue to work with Ford and Welsh Government to try and find alternative investment for Bridgend to maximise employment at the plant."
The statement continued: "We will be urging Ford to ensure that the highly successful roll out of the Dragon engine is built upon, and that the plants world class workforce is at the front of the queue if Ford decides to increase production volumes of Dragon.
"It is essential that the plant is used for any future production of hybrid technology and electric vehicle componentry and that a search for third party manufacturers to utilise any surplus space is given priority in order to maximise future jobs at Ford Bridgend”.