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Vauxhall nears Ellesmere deal
Carmaker Vauxhall looks close to agreeing a deal with union leaders that could safeguard jobs at Ellesmere Port. Parent company General Motors has only promised to keep the Cheshire site open until 2014 and its future has been in doubt since GM revealed its European arm lost £355m in 2011. But talks between Vauxhall and Unite union are likely to conclude in the next fortnight, offering hope to the factory’s 2,100 permanent staff. A deal would likely involve workers agreeing by ballot to changes in working conditions to improve efficiency and production. Workers hope any deal would pave the way for GM to award a contract for the site to produce new model Astras from 2015.