Bethan Jenkins AC/AM South Wales West

MAE Bethan Jenkins AC wedi galw ar Lywodraethau Cymru a’r DU i archwilio proses caffael Ford  yn sgil y cyhoeddiad heddiw bod ffatri Linamar yn Abertawe’n cau.

Mae’r AC Plaid dros Orllewin De Cymru wedi bod yn gweithio gyda staff a swyddogion yr undeb yn y ffatri ers sawl mis, ar ôl iddi ddod i’r amlwg bod y perchennog Canadaidd yn dioddef anawsterau wrth sicrhau cytundebau. Mae hi wedi ysgrifennu at Ford i ofyn am ei strategaeth gaffael, ac mae hi wedi gofyn sawl cwestiwn i’r Prif Weinidog ac aelodau eraill Llywodraeth Cymru am Linamar.

Dywedodd: “Cymerodd Linamar dros reolaeth y ffatri o Visteon gyda’r addewid o gytundebau wedi’u sicrhau gyda chwmnïau ceir, gan gynnwys Ford. Mae’n amlwg, o’r hyn y mae gweithwyr yn y ffatri wedi dweud wrthyf, er gwaethaf y ffaith y gwnaeth Linamar yr hyn a allai i ddod â’r gwaith yna i Abertawe, nid oedd llawer o’r gwaith yna wedi ymddangos yn y diwedd.

“Mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi buddsoddi biliynau, yn ogystal â grant sawl miliwn o bunnoedd gan Lywodraeth Cymru, er mwyn i Ford adeiladu’r peiriant hwb eco newydd ym Mhen y Bont. Fodd bynnag, mae’n debyg nad yw’r gwaith yna yn mynd i gyflenwyr lleol fel Linamar.

“Pan ofynnais i’r Prif Weinidog am hyn, yr unig ateb a allai roi oedd ei bod yn gobeithio y byddai gwaith yn dod i gyflenwyr lleol. Do’n i’n ddim yn meddwl bod hynny’n ddigon da ar y pryd, ac yn sicr nid yw’n ddigon da nawr. Dylai Llywodraeth Cymru fod mewn sefyllfa i  fynnu amodau pan mae’n rhoi grantiau.

“Fel hyn, mae rhaid i Ford rannu’r bai am fethiant Linamar i barhau.”

“Byddwn yn cefnogi Unite yn ei ymdrechion i achub ffatri Linamar, ond mae gennyf i bryder bod yr undeb heb wneud digon yn ddigon buan.”

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BETHAN Jenkins AM has called on the Welsh and UK governments to investigate the way Ford sources its parts following today’s announcement of the closure of the Linamar plant in Swansea.

The Plaid South Wales West AM has been working with staff and union officials at the plant for a number of months, once it became apparent that the Canadian owner was experiencing difficulties in securing contracts. She has written to Ford to ask about its sourcing strategy, and she has also asked a number of questions to the First Minister and other members of the Welsh Government about Linemar.

She said: “Linamar took over the plant from Visteon with the promise of contracts secured from car makers, including Ford. It is apparent, from what workers at the plant have told me, that while Linamar did what it could to bring that work to Swansea, a lot of that work was not ultimately forthcoming.

“Billions have been invested by the UK government, along with a multi-million pound grant from the Welsh Government, so that Ford can build the new eco boost engine at Bridgend. However, none of that work appears to be going to local suppliers like Linemar.

“When I asked the First Minister about this, he could only give a reply that he hoped work would come to local suppliers. I didn’t think that was good enough at the time, and it certainly isn’t good enough now. The Welsh Government should be in a position to demand terms if it is awarding grants.

“As such, Ford must share the blame for Linemar’s inability to continue.”

“I would back Unite in its moves to save the Linemar plant, but I am concerned that this is a too little, too late from the union.”