Nissan Sunderland cuts 248 jobs blaming a fall in demand in the car market

The Wearside plant has confirmed it has told the workers they will not be returning to work as it starts production at the site again.

It is understood hundreds of other temporary workers have been told they will be getting short-term extensions to their contracts.

The firm still employs another 500 members of staff on temporary contracts.

A spokesperson said: “Nissan continually adjusts production to meet market demand.”

“Given current business conditions in Europe we are facing a period of reduced volumes in our Sunderland Plant.

“Unfortunately, therefore, we will not be extending the contracts of 248 temporary manufacturing staff at the plant.”

It has said its line two, which makes Jukes and Qashqai models, returned with a single shift on Monday, June 8, with plans to move on to a two-shift pattern by Monday, June 29.

Line one, which makes Qashqais and Leaf models, will resume on Monday, June 22, with its two-shift pattern to return by the last Monday of the month.

The firm took its first steps to restarting production this week after a two month coronavirus shutdown which saw the majority of the staff furloughed.

Parts of the factory had also been used to make PPE as the coronavirus crisis hit the region.

One Nissan worker from South Shields, who did not want to be named, said he had been told by his boss over the phone this morning (June 11) that he was being made redundant.

The Line 2 staff member had started working for Nissan just before Christmas last year and was on an initial temporary contract before being put on the Government's furlough scheme in March.

He said: "I'm devastated. I got a phone call this morning and was told that I am one of 250 people who have been laid off.

"I had just got the job before Christmas and had been on furlough since March.

"I thought furlough was to stop job losses. I wasn't expecting it."

Another Nissan worker, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: "There has been a lot of stress and worry for weeks and it's like a final nail for those guys.

"The car market was struggling for a long while and then with coronavirus, the sales just aren't there and are not expected to be for some time."

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