In 2000, the Ford Motor Company separated off its supply arm as Visteon - one of the signs on the plant still reads "An Enterprise of Ford Motor Company Limited." Workers were given contracts mirroring those they had had from Ford and were reassured that they would receive the same pensions and redundancy arrangements they had enjoyed previously. For the workers at Visteon's three UK plants - Belfast, Basildon and Enfield - these promises have turned out to be worthless.

Workers at Visteon's plants, some of whom had been working for Ford for 30 or more years, were told on 31 March that they were out of a job. The meeting lasted just over 5 minutes and they were given an hour to take any personal possessions and leave work immediately - without pay.

Workers at the Belfast and Enfield plants have occupied them and are refusing to leave until they get what Ford and Visteon promised them. Their Union, Unite, has already met Ford's European chairman, but the company has issued a statement denying any responsibility in the matter.

On 31 March, Jim Tucker and John Hansen of KPMG were appointed joint administrators of Visteon UK Ltd and immediately issued redundancy notices to around 565 or Visteon UK's 610 employees, keeping on the remainder to oversee an orderly wind-down of the business.

The workers occupying the plant have claimed rights as squatters on the property, although KPMG has already secured a court order for repossession and the leader of the occupation will appear in court on Monday morning. The sit-in was started by workers in Belfast, with those in Enfield joining in on April 1 as soon as they heard the news.

Several hundred trade unionists and others turned up on Saturday for a demonstration outside the plant to show their support. Workers at Ford will be asked to take action to support the former Ford workers if the company fails to meet its moral obligations to them.

Several of the speakers had organised collections for the occupiers in their workplaces, reporting unanimous support for the dismissed workers. The occupation desperately needs more of this practical support - sleeping bags, food and money - to continue, and visitors bringing gifts are welcome at the factory in Morson Road, off Mollison Way, a few minutes walk south-east of Ponders End station.

More pictures on My London Diary shortly:
 http://mylondondiary.co.uk/2009/04/apr.htm#visteon