[update 15:24 6 April]
It's not clear whether the judge's decision was part of an agreement to vacate the premises later this week - namely the Thursday vacation dates voted on, at the union's behest, last night in the occupation.
There still doesn't seem to be a concrete proposal from Ford or Visteon on the table with regards the workforces demands on fair severance pay and pension protection.
Bankers walk away from stealing billions, workers get jail threats
Last night (Sunday), the Visteon workers had a meeting to decide what to do in the face of possible legal action against them arising out of the court hearing today.
The convenor Kevin Nolan had been given advice by the union lawyer that the Judge would rule against the workers and they would all be in danger of being dragged out, arrested, imprisoned, and have to pay the legal costs!
The deal that the union (Unite) is pursuing is that Visteon workers agree to walk out on Thursday and then mount pickets at the gates.
Not suprisingly workers voted almost unanimously to agree to a deal being made. However, there was massive anger at the union, and the mood at the end of the vote was very depressed. (Many workers in tears). And most importantly, in discussion with individuals there was a feeling that they may be making a mistake and that if Ford offered nothing some of them would be arguing to stay in. One woman actually didn't put her hand up to vote, and wants to stay in alone.
If you can make it down to the factory please try to - or the court this morning 09:45 at the Royal Courts of Justice at the Strand. It is an amazing experience. Last night there was to be a showing of Naomi Klein's film, The Make on factory occupations in Argentina. Solidarity has been pouring in and local trade unionists and socialists and have been welcomed, including some G20 activists helping with setting up tents on the roof and initial advice on squatters rights which is great to see despite the media lies about G20 'yobs'. Although workers have to be a bit nervous of letting people in willy-nilly because of security concerns get up to Enfield to show your support.
Come to the Haringey and Enfield TUC meeting at the North London Community Centre Moorefield Rd N17, Monday night 7.30 where Visteon workers will be speaking. And if you can, call a lunchtime meeting to bring a worker to, so we can keep up the solidarity and strengthen their resolve.
When the FT writes a major piece in its paper on Saturday on the sit-in, you know the bosses in the UK and US are terrified of the message this occupation is sending out to workers elsewhere - 'we won't have to take it, we can fightback'. This militancy could to other car workers faced with the sack.
Interviews with Visteon workers
Thanks to Ady Cousins and Jesse Oldershaw (Camera)
Workers at Visteon car component plants in Enfield (North London) and Belfast are occupying their factories. The workers, some of whom have worked at the plants for 40 years, were told their jobs were finished and given 20 minutes to clear their lockers. But they are refusing to be bullied, and are standing up for their rights.
The majority of the workforce are ex-Ford workers, producing products for Ford, and on contracts that were supposed to mirror Ford contracts. That means Ford should step in to offer decent redundancy, workers say.
Every worker should get behind the Visteon workers fight for justice.
Send a message of support now from yourself and any official union body to bobenham1@msn.com (Bob is a steward in the Enfield occupation but can get email). Copy it to stevehart@unitetheunion.com Steve is the official dealing with this.
Visteon workers defy prison threat - and walk free
Visteon workers occupying their factory in Enfield were jubilant this morning after a judge in the high court threw out the charge of defying a court order against the convenor Kevin Nolan and his deputy.It's not clear whether the judge's decision was part of an agreement to vacate the premises later this week - namely the Thursday vacation dates voted on, at the union's behest, last night in the occupation.
There still doesn't seem to be a concrete proposal from Ford or Visteon on the table with regards the workforces demands on fair severance pay and pension protection.
Bankers walk away from stealing billions, workers get jail threats
Last night (Sunday), the Visteon workers had a meeting to decide what to do in the face of possible legal action against them arising out of the court hearing today.
The convenor Kevin Nolan had been given advice by the union lawyer that the Judge would rule against the workers and they would all be in danger of being dragged out, arrested, imprisoned, and have to pay the legal costs!
The deal that the union (Unite) is pursuing is that Visteon workers agree to walk out on Thursday and then mount pickets at the gates.
Not suprisingly workers voted almost unanimously to agree to a deal being made. However, there was massive anger at the union, and the mood at the end of the vote was very depressed. (Many workers in tears). And most importantly, in discussion with individuals there was a feeling that they may be making a mistake and that if Ford offered nothing some of them would be arguing to stay in. One woman actually didn't put her hand up to vote, and wants to stay in alone.
If you can make it down to the factory please try to - or the court this morning 09:45 at the Royal Courts of Justice at the Strand. It is an amazing experience. Last night there was to be a showing of Naomi Klein's film, The Make on factory occupations in Argentina. Solidarity has been pouring in and local trade unionists and socialists and have been welcomed, including some G20 activists helping with setting up tents on the roof and initial advice on squatters rights which is great to see despite the media lies about G20 'yobs'. Although workers have to be a bit nervous of letting people in willy-nilly because of security concerns get up to Enfield to show your support.
Come to the Haringey and Enfield TUC meeting at the North London Community Centre Moorefield Rd N17, Monday night 7.30 where Visteon workers will be speaking. And if you can, call a lunchtime meeting to bring a worker to, so we can keep up the solidarity and strengthen their resolve.
When the FT writes a major piece in its paper on Saturday on the sit-in, you know the bosses in the UK and US are terrified of the message this occupation is sending out to workers elsewhere - 'we won't have to take it, we can fightback'. This militancy could to other car workers faced with the sack.
Interviews with Visteon workers
Thanks to Ady Cousins and Jesse Oldershaw (Camera)
Workers at Visteon car component plants in Enfield (North London) and Belfast are occupying their factories. The workers, some of whom have worked at the plants for 40 years, were told their jobs were finished and given 20 minutes to clear their lockers. But they are refusing to be bullied, and are standing up for their rights.
The majority of the workforce are ex-Ford workers, producing products for Ford, and on contracts that were supposed to mirror Ford contracts. That means Ford should step in to offer decent redundancy, workers say.
Every worker should get behind the Visteon workers fight for justice.
Send a message of support now from yourself and any official union body to bobenham1@msn.com (Bob is a steward in the Enfield occupation but can get email). Copy it to stevehart@unitetheunion.com Steve is the official dealing with this.
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