Jaguar F-Type production threatened by unions

Jaguar F-Type Production plans thwarted by unions

Jaguar is attempting to up production at Castle Bromwich to deal with the new F-Type, but unions reject the deal.

Just last week we had news that Jaguar are to invest £200 million in to their Castle Bromwich plant ahead of production starting on the new F-Type.

As part of the Jaguar Land Rover plan to get Jaguar F-Types flying out of showrooms in the same way Range Rover Evoques do, Jaguar had brokered a deal with unions on working practices at Castle Browmwich to make sure they can cope with demand when the F-Type goes on sale.

The deal meant compulsory Saturday working for Castle Bromwich production workers as well as alcohol and drug testing for staff. The unions appear to have been pragmatic and recommended the deal to members, but in a ballot this week the proposals were rejected by 64 per cent.

Jaguar and the Unite union are seeking feedback from workers to see if there’s a way round the impasse. It’s too early to say the lack of a deal seriously threatens the F-Type, but it does put a spoke in JLR’s plan’s to expand production at Castle Bromwich.