AUTOMOTIVE workers won their five year battle for pensions justice against multinational manufacturer Ford yesterday when it agreed a £28 million pay-out to around 1,300 workers Staff at former Ford subsidiary Visteon.

Each lost thousands of pounds from their pension pots when they were sacked with just a few minutes’ notice as Visteon UK announced it had gone into administration in March 2009.

Manufacturing union Unite pursued legal action against Ford through union solicitor Thompsons.

A Unite spokesman said yesterday: “The settlement offer received overwhelming support from all eligible ex-Visteon workers who took the decision to be a party to the legal action.”

The liquidation had meant the workers’ pensions being taken over by the government’s Pension Protection Fund, causing the loss of the investment.

Staff members with Unite staged occupations in Belfast, Basildon and Enfield, marches, rallies, pickets and lobbies of Parliament after they were sacked.

After nine days Visteon lawyers won court orders expelling the workers, but hundreds of supporters cheered them at the factory gates as they marched proudly out.

Ford owned 60 per cent of Visteon and the occupations proved to be the first actions in a campaign which challenged the corporate giant head-on and resulted in yesterday’s victory.

The campaign included regular pickets of Ford dealerships which maintained the media spotlight on the struggle.

A Visteon Support Group was established, organising vital fund-raising and other support.

The court battle ended yesterday with the agreement between Unite and Ford, backed by workers.

Unite legal services director Howard Beckett said: “This settlement is worth millions for eligible former Visteon workers who lost part of their pensions. This settlement was made possible because of the support of Unite legal services. 

“Unite would like to pay tribute to our conveners, who have continued to show leadership long after the plants have closed, our members and activists and the members of the Visteon Support Group, all of whom maintained their tireless campaign until a successful conclusion was achieved.”