I worked at Vauxhall's Luton plant for 13 years, eight of those years as shop steward for the A.E.E.U. I have transferred next door to the I.B.C van plant. There is two things that I would like to know? Firstly did the union bosses know about the closure before it was announced?
I believe they did. Two weeks before the closure I had a case involving a Vauxhall employee at an industrial tribunal. A day before the trial, the union suddenly dropped the case and we had a good case no reason was given.
The second was in October 2000. I and other Shop Stewards were in the Union office and we saw a union course starting in January 2001. We put our names forward but was told no you can't go, wait and see what happens. 13th December 2000 that same year G.M announces Vauxhall Luton plant closure. I also believe it was a political decision rather than an economic on.
The reasons:
1) Cheaper to get rid of a British worker than one who works in Russelhiem, Germany.
2) Goverment would not close Ellsmere Port, Liverpool, because it all ready has high unemployment in that area.
So even though the Vvauxhall Luton plant was making a profit, the GM bosses decided to shut the profit making Luton plant, and keep open the loss making Opel plant in Russelhiem.
I would like to wish all the colleagues who worked at the Vauxhall Luton plant good luck for the future in what ever they decide to do with there lives.
Clive, Luton

Blissful of New Zealand you have spoiled my memory of Luton. I used to visit my friends there and it was not dirty then. My friend's husband used to work at Vauxhalls, he was a pattern maker, Mr. H. Ingram, I think he could be retired now, so the closure won't worry him. When my friend Eileen Ingram died many years ago, I lost touch with this family so if Pauline, Robert or Patricia see this perhaps they will let me know how the family is, as I have many happy memories of visiting them all at Luton. I haven't mentioned Jill as I doubt she would be on the Internet. The picture shown on this page reminds me of their street I cannot now remember it's name. Cheers.
Marj Busby, Australia

I have worked at Vauxhall for 17 years. I started in 1982 when I was 18 years old. Vauxhall used to be a great place to work years ago, who remembers the old canteen? And the bar!! Things changed there in recent years with the introduction of 'teamwork' and the double day shift.
Team work, in my view was used by the company to set worker against worker. The unions also sold us out years ago. So in a way I'm glad it has closed. I'm taking a holiday soon, then we'll see what happens. Good luck to all ex-employees.
Paul, Luton

Rubbish place to work, glad it's closing.... Ohh, thanks for the cash
N. Reilly, Not in Luton...

hurrrahhh 35k here we come!
love a soon to be ex vauxhall worker
Pete, Luton

I would like to point out that is due to the manament and the T.G.W.U and the A.E.E.W unions That this wonderful plant has come to an end. Lets not forget, the workers invented tools, and ideas in there suggestions forms, that made the Vauxhall Cavalier the best selling car there was, but sadly the management had this idea of changing the model name to the Vectra. The name alone (Vectra) was a downfall. I was a worker for 17 years and in the early years the management had time for it's workforce. But sadly, this new type of management came on to the shop floor. These were people who never had any idea on how to run a factory, thay came from collage, passed a few exams and then got made up to managers.

Also, the Govenment should have stoped the closure of the plant but Mr Buyers did not want to know. If we are to save this country and its plants we have got to boycott sendinf our manufactured parts to other countries i.e General Motors in U.S.A. We must look after ourselves in this country. We must fight the Govenment and tell them we want more rights so that we can keep our jobs.
Mr J.De.st.aubin, Stopsley, Beds

I feel sorry for all the people who rely on Vauxhall for their own businesses. I lived in Luton for two years and hated every minute of it. It is a dirty, smelly hole and full of down and outers and druggies. Sounds like most English cities nowadays. The whole country is going to the dogs. Perhaps they will build an asylum centre on the site and they can burn that down too.
Blissful, New Zealand

Good job its going, fed up with hearing all the bleating about loyalty, they dont care about you, rubbish cars anyway at over inflated prices, they deserve all they get, ugly blot on the landscape hopefully will go and get some nice houses there rather than an asyum seekers centre.
n.clark, ugly Luton

21/03/02 a sad day and a happy day. I will complete 25 years with the company on that day and I am sad for the closure of the luton plant. I am sure this will have a knock-on affect on businesses throughout the town.
Keith, Luton

I understand Vauxhall coming to the end of an era but the way you are talking about it's all been kept in the family, let me tell you something, yes you are right to that degree but the one thing you are not putting over in your transmissions are that anyone that worked at Vauxhall 25 years would be getting a golden handshake of quite a bit of money, possibly enough to pay off a mortgage plus a brand new car. Now I am sure you at three counties wouldn't mind a redundancy payment like that. I, myself, worked for a company for 25 years and all I got was 6 months money which is the minimum they have to give. So stop feeling sorry for these Vauxhall workers because I'll tell you now I don't because if I was in their situation I would be laughing all the way to the bank.
Anon, Stevenage

Sad for all the people of Luton, I can't imagine coming to Luton and not seeing that Vauxhall sign
Jon Miller, Hitchin

To Vauxhall's credit they did give 1,000 of us jobs at IBC building the Vivaro van. At Dagenham they had nothing. The future may not be as bright - but at least we, and the town, have a future.
Steve, Luton
Vauxhall now proud IBC worker

I own a newsagency in the town and I will miss the workers coming and goings - and I'm not sure how much it will affect my trade. Good luck to the workers in all they do.
John, Luton

It's the end of an era for Luton. I can't remember a time before Vauxhall. A very very sad day for the town.
Fred, Luton