After a long four year campaign, Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, is celebrating victory for the Visteon Pensioners as Ford enter into constructive and binding talks with the view to settle claims for losses with a multi million pound deal in the very near future.
Joined by colleagues across
the House, Mr Metcalfe has been tirelessly campaigning for Ford to honour their
moral responsibilities to their former employees who suffered pension losses of
up to 50% when Visteon UK collapsed in 2009 after being was spun off from Ford in
2000. The All Party Parliamentary Group in support of Visteon pensioners,
chaired by Mr Metcalfe, have held debates in the House of Commons on the
matter, made representations to the Government, attended demonstrations, and
have supported the Visteon Pension Action Group (VPAG) in the fight for their
pensions.
Up to this point Ford washed
their hands of responsibility for the pensioners, claiming that Visteon was its
own company, responsible for its own decisions. Now, to the delight of Visteon
pensioners up and down the country, Ford has agreed in principle to do the
right thing and settle the claim.
VPAG, who have been ardently
campaigning on this issue, are said to be delighted by the news and were
praised in the House of Commons for their dogged
determination.
Mr Metcalfe commented: “I am delighted to hear that Ford
are living up to their responsibilities and doing the right thing. This is
fantastic news for VPAG and for Visteon pensioners across the UK and I would
like to congratulate VPAG for their hard fought campaign. Their dogged
determination has resulted in a well earned victory and I know that the people
they represent will be forever grateful for their efforts.”
“I would like to thank colleagues from across the House
for joining me in this fight. Geraint Davies MP, Sian James MP and many others
have been relentless in campaigning for their constituents and this cross party
effort has shown democracy working at its finest.”
Stephen added: “I would also like to thank Ford for
honouring their responsibilities. By righting this wrong, they have restored
their proud reputation for looking after their workers and I look forward to
working with them in the future as they continue to make an invaluable
contribution to the national economy, and our local economy in Basildon.”
