LONDON, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The leader of Britain's biggest trade union Monday launched a drive to avert job losses at the British sites after the U.S.-based auto giant General Motors announced the selling of its European car interests to the French PSA Group, makers of Peugeot cars.
"I am determined that we can convince the new boss that it makes sense for him to continue to build in Britain. Our plants are the most productive in the European operation. The brand is strong here, the market for the products is here, so the cars must be made here," said Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite.
"But there is also a role for the government to play. The uncertainty caused by Brexit is harming the UK auto sector," he added.
Included in the sale are GM's Vauxhall car plants at Luton, Ellesmere Port near Liverpool, and another site at Toddington.
The union chief said the British plants are the most productive in the company's stable, earning them the right to a future under the new owners.
He said Wednesday's budget by the Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond will be a perfect opportunity for the government to make it clear that it will preserve Britain's trading arrangements and that it will invest for our auto sector's future now, beginning with assistance for the re-shoring of components.
GM sites in Britain, building cars under the Vauxhall badge, employ thousands of workers, with even more working in the supply chain who are dependent on Vauxhall plants in Britain.
