More closure days at Ford factory

The Southampton factory employs 1,100 people

Production at the Ford factory in Southampton is to be halted for an additional nine days.

It was announced earlier this month that the factory, which makes Transit vans, would close for 20 days before the end of April.

The firm confirmed it would shut the production line for a total of 29 days, describing it as a "necessary measure".

Most of the 1,000 workers face a cut in earnings after the two-shift working day was replaced with a single shift.

They were also forced to take an extended Christmas break and last autumn 120 casual workers lost their jobs.

'Reduced vehicle sales'

On Thursday, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) released figures which showed that the number of new cars produced in the UK in December 2008 was 47.5% lower than in the same period in 2007.

Ford has said there will be no job losses at the plant in Swaythling despite the sharp downturn in vehicle sales.

Employees will work on this single daytime shift on a rotational basis and will receive full basic pay.

But they will be unable to earn overtime or extra allowances.

Ford plans to halve production of the Transit van at the site over the next three years.

A statement from Ford read: "Ford is taking necessary measures to protect all its plants from creating excess stock.

"It is responding to significantly reduced commercial vehicle sales across Europe."

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