Since the news of Honda’s plans to close its Swindon factory leaked yesterday, two shifts have changed over.
Two sets of workers have gone home, two more sets have arrived at work. Only today have those on the current shift been sent home to deal with and process this ‘shock’ announcement – which they could've read every detail about since yesterday afternoon on every major website and in every newspaper in the country.
You may have seen several of them being interviewed through their car windows, or heard them on the radio, and all said the same when asked their reaction to the plant’s proposed closure in 2021: "We don’t know anything. Honda has told us nothing. You know more than us."
It was actually quite cringeworthy and uncomfortable listening to reporters, who did indeed know more, detailing the precise reasons for the closure and asking workers questions that affected their livelihoods and the futures of their families.
What became clear was that there hadn't been a word from Honda – a company built on integrity – to its workers, nor the unions that represent them. It was sticking to its plan of making this ‘surprise’ announcement at 8am. And surprise surprise it came, with Honda at last sticking its head out of the sand.
This is the latest blow to manufacturing in the British car industry after recent bad news at Jaguar Land Rover, Ford and Nissan, and the common consensus is that if this uncertainty remains around the UK, the worst is probably yet to come.
If that’s the case, let’s hope the companies involved show a bit more compassion, respect and decency to their workers and others involved than Honda by keeping in the loop those actually affected by these life-changing decisions.
Read more
Honda proposes Swindon factory closure
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The answer to Marcus Mackay’s question
Is massive taxpayer support in the form of interest free/government underwritten loans. And a bit of national pride on behalf of British car buyers. Oh, and an endless supply of immigrants prepared to work for $2/day...
Robbo
It is to terrible news and
It is to terrible news and does appear to have been badly handled, how it got out is another question.
The real question
What would need to change in the UK to make Dyson choose to manufacture in the UK? I say this as there must be good logical reasons for choosing Singapore and rather than bitch about it we should figure out what we need to change.
Honda have clearly stated why they want to leave. Basically because the incentive that attracted them has now disappeared with the new EU trade deal.
So let’s look forward and figure out what more needs to be done to create a positive environment for business.
Simple...
In China you can get 10 workers for the wage of ONE Worker here?,, also, Red tape is a lot shorter in China, thinks get done, so, that the BIG incentive to set up your Factory there...., come to Britain though, and how long does it take? , bit like HS2, still not happened yet!