Britain’s largest trade union is seeking assurances over about 2,600 manufacturing jobs at Vauxhall after the carmaker’s parent company, PSA, announced a £38bn (€45bn) merger with Fiat Chrysler that will create the world’s fourth-biggest carmaker. Vauxhall’s workforce includes 1,100 staff at its Ellesmere Port plant in Wirral and around 1,500 people making the Vivaro van in Luton. PSA, which also owns Peugeot, and Fiat Chrysler confirmed there would be no plant closures as part of €3.7bn in cost savings targeted from the deal, but the Unite union immediately raised concerns. “Unite will … be seeking guarantees about new investment to ensure that the company’s UK factories are able to continue to build high-quality cars and vans to meet the challenges of the transition to electric vehicles,” said Unite’s national officer Des Quinn.
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) – British Airways has taken a nosedive in UK passengers’ opinions and is now rated just above Ryanair at the bottom end of the airline rankings. The flag carrier was among the worst rated for food, seat comfort and value for money on both short and long-haul services in the annual Which? poll. BA questioned the accuracy of the survey, which is based on 6,500 readers’ opinions rather than comprehensive data, and found the best short-haul airline to be Aurigny Air, a small Channel Islands turboprop operator. However, the results will make for further unwelcome reading for BA, the formerly self-proclaimed “world’s favourite airline”, which celebrated a centenary this year.
