WE’RE backing Vauxhall in Luton – and we’re calling on our readers to do the same.

In the week that the government demonstrated its commitment to keeping GM in the town, The Luton News is adding its voice to trade union Unite’s call for the people of the town to show their support, too.

Next week Unite members will be travelling down to Westminster in red, white and blue vans made at Luton’s Kimpton Road plant to hand in a petition to the Houses of Parliament.

They hope it will contain at least 50,000 signatures from people pledging their support in the fight to keep van manufacturing in the UK. That’s why we’re asking you to fill out the petition coupon and return it to us without delay, to show just how important the plant and its workers are to Luton.

The recession has hit Luton hard – already 6,000 people in the town are out of work. But that figure could soar if the Kimpton Road manufacturing plant gets the axe. GM UK employs 2,400 people here – at the plant, in its offices at Griffin House in Osborne Road and at the parts warehouse in Toddington Road.

But it’s not just those employed directly by the company who would face being out of work. An estimated 5,000 jobs across the country, mainly at small companies supplying parts, are sustained by the Luton plant and its sister site in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

When the global credit crunch began to bite, commercial van sales slumped dramatically.

Production of the Vauxhall Vivaro, the Renault Trafic and the Nissan Primastar at Luton were cut, meaning down days at the plant and a wage cut for workers.

But Unite says the business is still strong, viable and efficient – achievements praised by business secretary Peter Mandelson when he visited the plant on Friday.

>> You can see a video report of Lord Mandelson’s visit to Luton click here

>> For more about the Unite campaign, visit www.unitetheunion.com/savevauxhall

YOU CAN HELP THE APPEAL BY SIGNING OUR PETITION:

Click here to view a pdf form, which you can print out, fill in and return it to our address:

The Luton News, 39 Upper George Street, Luton, LU1 2RD
by 5pm on Monday