Socialist Appeal - Visteon: Visit to Basildon picket line

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Visteon: Visit to Basildon picket line

By Steve Jones

Sunday, 03 May 2009

Supporters of Socialist Appeal from Romford paid a solidarity visit to the pickets outside the Visteon plant at Basildon on Sunday. Although the workers have voted to support the deal conceded by the Visteon bosses (see report posted above this one - just click here ) they are staying on the line until they are 100% certain that the deal will go through. As one picket put it "...when it's in my bank account, then I will trust them." Both Basildon and Enfield have declared for the deal and several pickets asked us if we had heard what was happening in Belfast.

The workers have learnt a lot over the last few weeks not least about the benefits of struggle - and the struggle for benefits. One worker drily commented that he was initially denied any benefit because he had not signed on in time as he had been out looking to see if there was any work around - which he was told was 'not good enough an excuse.' You could not make it up. Others discussed the problems relating to their pensions and compared this to the massive payouts given to City bosses when they lost their jobs.This may seem unimportant until you remember that many of those at the Basildon site had been there for decades.

All the pickets wished to express their thanks to those who have given their support and encouraged them not to just give in and walk away but make a stand. This will stand as an example to others. Even during the time we were there, many car drivers tooted their horns in support as they drove by the site - this in the backyard of 'Basildon Man,' the 80's icon of Thatcherism. One idiot did shout out "Get a job!" as he shot past which was kind of missing the point but got a wry laugh anyway. Despite the appalling way they have been treated the pickets have not lost their sense of humour: as one bloke put it: "At least it's not snowing -yet."

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