Sacked Cowley worker speaks out warning others not to waste the mood to resist

“If our unions fight back when bosses announce redundancies, then we’ve got a chance to save jobs. But if we’re told to quietly walk away, then we’re all done for.”

That is the message from Doug Foreshew, who worked at BMW’s plant in Cowley, Oxfordshire, for nearly five years until he was sacked last week.

Every day brings new announcements of job cuts and closures. This is a volatile situation and individuals can make a difference.

A couple of people taking a stand can help turn the general mood from despair into one of confidence and militancy.

An astounding 80,000 jobs were axed in Britain, Europe and the US in just one day on Monday.

The harsh reality of the chaos of the market is now hitting workers across all sectors and industries.

The list of Monday’s job losses makes stark reading.

Caterpillar, the world’s largest maker of construction equipment, said it would cut 20,000 jobs. Sprint Nextel, the US mobile-phone operator, announced 8,000 jobs are to go.

DIY retailer Home Depot is cutting 7,000 jobs and freezing salaries.