The Militant (logo)  

Vol. 73/No. 15      April 20, 2009

 
Support the workers at Visteon!
(editorial)
 
Bosses at Visteon, the auto-parts supplier spun off by Ford Motor Company in 2000, abruptly told workers at three plants in the United Kingdom and Ireland March 31 that the plants would be closing at the end of the day. At the Enfield plant workers were literally given six minutes’ notice of the closure.

By moving swiftly the company hoped to scuttle its obligations for unemployment payments and other benefits. The bosses’ action is part of the increasing assault on workers’ wages, working conditions, employment, and the conditions of life that has been radically accelerated by the worldwide contraction of capitalist production.

Bailouts and tinkering with financial regulations will not resolve the crisis the capitalists face. To increase their profit rates the rulers must radically reset economic relations with the class that is the source of society’s wealth—the working class. That means accelerating layoffs, finding ways to scuttle or tear up contractual agreements, and curtailing workers’ rights with the aim of weakening our ability to fight back.

Along with this assault comes stepped-up use of the courts and cops. As we go to press the Financial Times reports a judge granted an order to evict workers from the Enfield plant April 9.

Last December workers at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago were told the plant would close and that they had no choice but to leave—but they didn’t. They sat in and organized to reach out to fellow workers with whose help they won the pay and benefits owed them. Like their sisters and brothers across the ocean, Visteon workers in the occupations in Britain and Ireland have been disciplined, organizing shifts to maintain their protests, provide food, and keep the plant and surrounding areas clean and safe.

The workers in the United Kingdom and Ireland deserve the support of all workers fighting to defend their unions and working conditions. Their action is confirmation of the fact that working people will fight to find the road to resist these attacks. As Rick Pineda at the Belfast plant said, “We didn’t just accept losing our jobs… . We don’t accept that Ford can use us and dispose of us.”
 
 
Related articles:
Auto workers occupy plants in Ireland and England
U.S. auto bosses, gov’t press for deep concessions from workers
Quebec professors, students go on strike  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home