More TVR talks (From Blackpool Citizen)

More TVR talks

3:11pm Thursday 26th October 2006

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Senior union officials from the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and Blackpool Council chiefs are continuing talks with Blackpool-based car manufacturer, TVR, in a bid to put the brakes on the company's plans to move out of the resort.

About 260 jobs are at risk at the Bristol Avenue factory after the company's Russian owner, Nikolai Smolenski, revealed plans last week to outsource production of the vehicles overseas.

A 90-day consultation period is on-going and TGWU officials are in talks with workers to come up with a fair redundancy package should the inevitable happen.

"The senior union officials and council officers are in ongoing talks to discuss the future of the company and how to keep it going," said Andy Robertson of the TGWU. "That has always been the hope."

"Nothing has been decided yet and there are going to be numerous more meetings during the consultation period.

"Myself and other union officials and shop stewards are looking after the workforce and their best interests.

"We are obviously looking for the best deal for the workers and I am hoping we can negotiate a decent redundancy package for the workers, should it come to that."

Although the company is expected to take production of its cars to a Turin-based company, union bosses remain hopeful that Blackpool Council and the North West Development Agency could set up their own business and bid to make TVR cars under contract.

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Joan Humble said: "I have been in discussions with representatives from the council and the union because I think even at this late stage we must all pull together to see what can be done to keep TVR and its workers together.

"I am looking to make inquiries to see if there are any other options for the workforce and I don't think we should give up hope yet."

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