Visteon workers fight for a better deal

As Britain heads deeper into recession and unemployment rises, this WORLDbytes report provides a timely example of workers successfully refusing to accept austerity. A group of workers at Visteon, a car-parts manufacturing company decided to take matters into their own hands and occupy the factory in opposition to a six minute notice to quit and degrading redundancy deal. WORLDbytes reporter Luke Gittos interviews workers and supporters directly after they leave the occupation at the Visteon plant in Enfield. The report captures the mood at the time: a great uncertainty about what the future holds, yet a demonstration of the hope and defiance that ultimately led Visteon bosses to meet their demands. As Paul Walker, a young father who worked at the plant for 21 years, explains in the report: "We're here for justice. We're here for ourselves. We were all there for each other and we kept each other strong. I think something good will come out of all this."

Recommended links:

• Facebook group: Support the Belfast, Enfield and Basildon Visteon/Ford workers occupations
• Enfield Independent Visteon protest finally ends
• Visteon website
• WORLDbytes programme: Woolworths – What about the workers?
• Article by Patrick Hayes: I never thought I would be a squatter
• Guardian article: Defeated Visteon offers former workers improved redundancy package
• Article by Seumas Milne The Return of the Strike