FORMER Visteon workers fighting to protect their pensions have welcomed news that union bosses look set to take legal action over the issue.

Rob Williams, convener for the Linamar plant, said the decision came following a meeting between the legal advisers of the Unite union and those hired by the national Visteon pensioners' campaign group.

"We are absolutely delighted," said Mr Williams.

He told the Post he understood the meeting, which included Tony Woodley, joint general Secretary of Unite, ended with a recommendation for legal action against Ford.

"We are making an appeal to Ford that now is the time to get to the table and start talking with us to start settling this," said Mr Williams.

He said a meeting would take place in London in a few weeks to discuss how the matter will move forward.

Visteon pensioners were also set to attend an event in Cardiff today where Neath-based AM Bethan Jenkins was staging a debate on the issue. Around 600 workers from the city and surrounding area fear they could lose up to 70 per cent of their pension after Visteon went into administration last year.

Workers say that when the Ford plant in Swansea was taken over by Visteon in 2000, they were given "copper-bottomed promises" over their pensions.

Regrettable

In a previous statement, a spokesman for Ford said that, despite Ford's assistance, sustained losses meant the Visteon Corporation took the decision to put Visteon UK into administration last year.

"The impact of this for former employees is very regrettable. However, the contractual responsibility is with the trustees of Visteon UK's pension fund."

A meeting will take place in the Railwayman's Club on Wind St next Wednesday from 7.30pm to report back to the Visteon Pensioner's Action Group on the latest situation.

Nobody from Unite was available to comment.