UNITE union members at GKN Automotive’s Birmingham plant presented bosses with an alternative business plan today in a bid to save its 500 jobs.

A campaign to save the facility was sparked in January when venture-capitalist company Melrose, which bought GKN in 2018, announced that it would close in 2022 — despite promising to create a British manufacturing powerhouse.

The plan, drawn up by the union alongside a consultative committee of local politicians, highlights the Chester Road plant’s record of delivering on improvement and transformation plans, the union said.

It points out that the workforce is “highly adaptable in a fast-changing environment” and can operate in difficult circumstances — as demonstrated by its performance during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
The union described indications from the government that it is prepared to provide assistance as “crucial.”

Unite convenor Frank Duffy said: “What we now need is for the management at GKN Automotive to show the commitment and desire to work with Unite and the government to secure the future of the plant.
 
“The workforce at Birmingham has committed to deliver for GKN Automotive, it is now time for GKN Automotive to deliver for its Birmingham workforce.”