Visteon pensioners battle on

Seventy ex-Visteon workers, retired workers joined by those made redundant two months ago, kicked off their campaign to fight for their pensions with a protest outside the meeting of their pensions trust on 1 June.

Paula Mitchell, London Socialist Party

Much-reduced payouts are likely as a result of the company going into administration.

The workers do not accept that Ford has no obligation to Visteon workers, given that Ford mirrored terms and conditions were guaranteed when Visteon was spun off as an independent company from Ford in 2000.

The protesters marched from the pensions meeting up to their trade union Unite’s headquarters, to demonstrate to the union officials that they expect the union to fight for them.

The unexpected protest brought general secretary Tony Woodley down to meet with the workers and listen to their concerns.

Some of the retired members are set to lose as much as 50% of their pensions if the union doesn’t fight.

Further protests and legal action are planned.