LDV Vans potential close down sparks protest
Protesters campaigned outside Birmingham’s LDV plant today for the saving of 900 jobs that will be lost if the firm closes.
The firm, whose owners have recently announced that it will strive to be the first electric van company in Europe if it can gain funds from the Government to keep it afloat, could close as early as friday.
The group, backed by Unison, arrived in Washwood heath this morning to hand out leaflets and raising banners carrying the slogan “Jobs, Justice, Climate.”
Buyout
Chairman of the company, Erik Eberharson, who is leading the management buyout which requires the Government funds, said, ”We want to explore every avenue possible to save the company and the jobs. We still think that the company has a strong potential future as an electric van manufacturer, and the new ownership team is prepared to invest its resources in that new venture if the government is able to give a short term loan.
The Government appear reluctant to offer a loan, despite LDV’s green ambitions, due to the company’s failure to pay back the initial £24m loan. If the loan cannot be secured and the firm does shut down, a chain reaction could cause a further estimated 7000 jobs to be lost.
Some internet blogs see the loan as worthwhile, with others seeing it as a waste of taxpayers money. What do you think? Is it worth it to see LDV turn electric? Or is the company’s closure inevitable? Leave your comments below.
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Nick says:
Was this protest really worthy of a news piece? I know it appeared on mainstream media but it was a very small group of people who appear to have been the SWP rebranded. I might be mistaken – but they appear to have been not representing some groundswell of protest.
Feb. 27 at 5:31 pmWorth looking into further?
Nick says:
Did i use the word appear appear often enough in that last comment?
Feb. 27 at 5:32 pmLDV Vans buy out paves way for electric van future : Birmingham Recycled says:
[...] This has also given the company hope in their attempt to become Europe’s primary electric van producer. [...]
May. 18 at 10:23 am