Defiant Car Workers Protest Peugeot's Early Closure of Coventry Plant

Dozens of Amicus and T&G union workers gathered in Coventry city centre to express their outrage over Peugeot Citroen's surprise announcement to close the Ryton plant six months ahead of schedule. According to Tony Johnson, the Amicus convener for the plant, the closure is a result of the company's claims that a large number of workers have found new jobs. However, a poll conducted by the workers revealed that only 20 out of 557 employees have secured new employment. The workers are holding out hope that they can prepare a financial plan to convince the bosses at Peugeot Citroen to keep making cars in Coventry, but the company has yet to provide them with the necessary information.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ryton plant, owned by Peugeot Citroen, will close six months earlier than expected, affecting 2,300 jobs.
• A poll of 557 workers revealed that only 20 have found new jobs, contradicting the company's claims.
• Tony Johnson, Amicus convener for the plant, believes the company's justification for the early closure is a "blatant lie."
• Workers are planning to prepare a financial plan to save the plant and their jobs.
• Shoppers in Coventry were urged to boycott Peugeot's cars to pressure the company to keep the plant open.
• The workers are seeking information from the company to try and compete with other plants.

Statistics:

• 557 workers were polled about their job prospects after the plant's closure.
• 20 workers out of 557 have found new jobs.
• 2,300 jobs are at risk due to the plant's closure.
• The Ryton plant is expected to close six months earlier than planned.

Sources:

• The Coventry Telegraph
• Tony Johnson, Amicus convener for the Plant
• Peugeot Citroen