West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Adams Speaks to Ford CEO on Visteon

Published: 5 April, 2009

Gerry Adams addresses Visteon workers and their families at the Fun Day

Gerry Adams addresses Visteon workers and their families at the Fun Day

Gerry Adams this morning spoke by phone with John Fleming, the CEO of Ford Europe.

Mr Adams has been pressing Ford to honour its obligations to the 210 Visteon workers who were last week sacked.

Speaking at the Fun Day at the Visteon Plant this afternoon, Mr Adams said:

''The people of west Belfast are behind the Visteon workers and they have received numerous examples of solidarity and goodwill from this constituency and from right across the city.

''Today's Fun Day, organised by Feile an Phobail, is yet another example of this solidarity.

''Ford cannot be allowed to renege on its responsibilities to the Visteon workers.

''Workers rights must be protected. Sinn Féin is committed to pursuing this issue.

''We will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Visteon workers until they are treated properly.

''Representatives of the Unite Union are to meet with senior Visteon Management in New York on Wednesday.

''It is crucially important that everyone with influence use that influence to lobby Ford to honour its obligations.

''My office has kept the New York City Comptroller's office fully briefed on the situation and on developments at the Belfast plant.

''On the back of my conversation with Mr Fleming we will be in touch with the Comptroller's office later today.''