ON February 18 2019, news was leaked via BBC Five Live and Sky News of Honda’s intention to close its plant in Swindon. This immediately placed in jeopardy 3,500 jobs at the car plant and a further estimated 12,000 jobs at risk within the supply chain — 1,000 of those being in Swindon, others spread across many regions of the UK.
 
Prior to the news leak, Honda had long been clear and unequivocal in its commitment to the long-term future and viability of its Swindon plant. There had been neither discussions with Unite, the sole recognised trade union at HUM, nor any indications of uncertainty conveyed to the workforce.

Imagine, if you can, those leaving the car plant on the day’s early shift and those coming to work on the late shift, the overwhelming sense of bewilderment, shock and anger. Calls to the company by lay and full-time officials were “batted away” by Honda until the formal announcement confirmed this devastating news.
 
Political Reaction

Greg Clark, secretary of state for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), addressed the House of Commons in response to the announcement. It was apparent that expressing “disappointment” with the decision, the Tory government only offered support in the form of CV writing and job club initiatives — in their normal “non-interventionist” manner.

Assistant general secretary Steve Turner intervened, leading the national response on Unite. A BEIS Task Force was convened, headed up by Greg Clark, including representatives from Swindon Borough Council (SBC), BEIS and Unite. An inaugural meeting took place on February 20.

The Unite delegation, led by Steve Turner and supported by national and regional officers, plus reps from the car plant and local supply chain, made it absolutely clear that Unite’s position was steadfast in its determination to save the plant. Greg Clark agreed to collaborate with Unite in developing an alternative business strategy to save the plant.

On February 19 2019 the formal consultation process between HUM and Unite began. Unite requested of Honda full disclosure of its business rationale and costings giving rise to its decision to close the plant. In all subsequent meetings the focus remains extracting and scrutinising all available data and information
 
On March 6 a Unite delegation travelled to Parliament, taking our campaign to the heart of the political establishment. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey addressed the delegation. There were valuable contributions from reps from the car plant, from HUM comrades across other international plants, the supply chain and MPs. Further meetings took place with representations made to Jeremy Corbyn and Greg Clark’s department. The entire delegation then met with Rebecca Long Bailey

A regional campaign team was established to ensure wherever possible that the campaign is driven by those closest to events. 

In addition to the national BEIS task force, a complimentary local SBC/BEIS task force was also established. The objective was to establish a wide range of initiatives, including looking at the non-manufacturing reasons to stay in Swindon.
 
March and Rally - March 30
 
The march route took us through central town streets in Swindon. There are different estimates in terms of numbers who attended ranging from 3,000-4,000. The march was conducted in a carnival atmosphere, with the emphasis being on the car plant, supply chain and community. Those who spoke at the rally were well received, including Rebecca Long Bailey, Steve Turner, convenor Paddy Brennan, plus colleagues from Belgium and the town mayor. A statement of support from Business Secretary Greg Clark was also read out.

Alternative Business Case

Honda has agreed to meet £25,000 costs for economic specialists Syndex to undertake this. It now begins to compile the alternative business case, starting on April 1. It must request further information by April 9 and submit its report by April 24, anticipating a response from Honda in early May.

Meeting Japanese CEO for European Operations

The plant reps and local Unite officer met with the Japanese CEO for European operations. Honda were receptive to an approach from government and receptive to receiving alternative business case.

Early Day Motion

As part of our next phase of the campaign, Unite is encouraging pressure on all MPs to sign an Early Day Motion (EDM). In essence the EDM calls upon government to deliver upon its commitments, to work with Unite on a proposal that keeps both Honda in Swindon and preserves the Britain’s status as a global leader in the automotive industry.
 
We ask everybody to support fully all activities and actions aimed to reverse Honda’s proposal of closure. Unite must do everything possible to retain the automotive plant in Swindon.

Steve Preddy is Unite South West regional secretary