 Amicus described the decision a 'real blow' to workers |
Coventry North West MP Geoffrey Robinson is meeting the industry secretary after the news that 700 jobs are going at Peugeot. The company is abolishing a complete shift at its Ryton plant because of a downturn in the European car market.
Mr Robinson has organised a meeting with Patricia Hewitt next week. He wants more support for the car industry to help secure the future of the plant. Ryton was the only factory within the firm to operate on a four shift basis.
Consultation period
The shift was introduced in December 2002 to help the plant launch two new models, the 206 SW and GTI 180, which are only built at Ryton.
The new three shift system will become operational from June.
The company began a 90-day consultation period with employee representatives on Thursday in an attempt to reduce the impact on the 700 workers affected.
Workers have fought hard to keep the shift, agreeing to take a wage cut last year to protect jobs.
Duncan Simpson from Amicus said was is a "real blow" to workers, but it was part of the agreement they signed up to.
The firm said they will also provide support to staff in their search for alternative employment.
Ryton is the third largest car plant in the country, producing more than 200,000 Peugeot 206s a year.
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