Production has stopped Vauxhall's Ellsemere Port factory, after staff walked out following rumours of 1000 job cuts.
Union representatives have been in talks with General Motors' European chief Peter Forster. But after Forster said that the firm wanted to cut a shift at the plant - a move that would involve 1000 job losses - union staff staged a 'spontaneous' walkout, halting production.
A GM statement said that it was 'disappointed' that union members had walked out. Of the plant's future, it said, 'No decision has yet been reached. Whatever the decision will look like, GM Europe will handle this as socially responsibly as possible. For the future, it is important for Ellesmere Port that everyone works together to meet the continuing demand for the Astra. We look forward to working together to give the plant the best opportunity to compete in the automotive industry in the long term.'
Rumours persist that GM could switch Astra production from the Cheshire plant to a Saab factory in Sweden.
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