We as a society spend a lot of time collectively complaining about our MPs. Often those complaining the loudest have never been to a political meeting or ever contacted a politician.
I was brought up in a 'political family' so if ever there was a problem with which a politician - be it a local or a national political representative, in power or opposition - could help, that person would be contacted.
When VisteonUK went into administration on 31st March 2009, the first feeling of its workers and pensioners was overwhelming shock. Workers were given six minutes notice. Pensioners had to read in the media that the pensions for which they had contributed over many years during their working life times, firstly with Ford and then when they were 'spun off' into VisteonUK, would possibly be lost. The full story of how eventually the workers, with the help of the Unite union were compensated and how the pensioners formed the Justice for Visteon Pensioners campaign [VPAG] can be read here.
VPAG started off with a few pensioners in a pub, gradually calling on friends and former work colleagues and marshalling resources and wider friendships to start a campaign. Some had some knowledge from union political contacts. Others knew of legal contacts, media contacts. Some sat at computers and contacted as many publications who might be interested in the plight of pensioners.
The Unite union agreed to back the legal claim. Politicians realised how many of their constituents had been misled. Through picketing, demos, marches, newspaper and TV articles the general public became aware that Ford had misled its former loyal workers. [If anyone enters 'Visteon' into the search box on here, blogs on progress can be read. One details how an angry wild looking woman ran after the Ford CEO's limo after he snuck into Ford Dunton Plant to avoid the demo on the front gate. That woman is still embarassed ......]
Questions have been asked in the Houses of Parliament, the European Parliament, The Northern Ireland Assembly and the Welsh Assembly. VPAG representatives have been interviewed on local radio and TV news, Radio Four and News at Ten. There have been articles about the campaign in local and national newspapers. Social Media are well aware of the campaign [twitter hashtag #VPAG]
At the end of last year over 30 MPs from all parties held a debate in Parliament, which roundly condemned Ford's actions. To quote just one MP:
Geraint Davies MP for Swansea West and Vice Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group in support of the Visteon Pensioners, said: "Ford has a moral duty to make good the pensions of former Ford employees who were given assurances that their pensions would be protected. Instead their pensions had been underfunded and Ford has a duty to make good the shortfall.
Ford needs to understand they cannot simply brush this matter under the carpet.
After another meeting this week called by MPs, which Ford again failed to attend, an open letter to the Ford chief executive Alan Mulally was sent by the leader of the All Party Pension Group, Stephen Metcalfe MP. [The letter can be read here].
Visteon workers and pensioners are 'little men and women' taking on a global corporation in the form of Ford. They are being helped by the Unite union and MPs, members of the House of Lords, members of the European Parliament, assembly members and local councillors (all of whom have offered advice and support in many ways). VPAG know they are supported by the general public.
So please don't just sit and complain about problems. And if you want to support VPAG, on the website are details about meetings and forthcoming events. They are going to meet Members of Parliament next week - wouldn't it be nice if Ford representatives came too and apologised and offered recompense?
This blog originally appeared here.
