LONDON (AFP)--The U.K.'s biggest trade union voiced concern over
the future of two car plants here Saturday after a deal was agreed
to rescue the European arm of General Motors (GM).
The Unite union said it was not certain of the impact of the
agreement, which will see Canadian parts maker Magna and its
Russian backers take over the operation, as parent company GM
prepares to file for insolvency.
"The German government... are clear about the fate of the German
plants," Derek Simpson, the union's joint general secretary, told
the BBC.
"We should be as clear," he added, but he raised questions about
the political leadership in the U.K.
"That's where I think the government has to be more proactive
and recognise that it has to some extent been watching in the
stands while the action has been taking place on the pitch,"
Simpson
Vauxhall, the U.K. arm of the business which also includes Opel
in Germany, employs around 5,000 workers at two sites in the
U.K.
Negotiations over the deal involving German Chancellor Angela
Merkel wrapped up early Saturday.
Berlin is expected to give loan guarantees of EUR4.5 billion,
including EUR1.5 billion in short-term loans, to keep the company
afloat.
Britain's Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said Friday he
would be seeking "a reinforcement of the commitment... to continued
production by Vauxhall in the U.K." over the deal.