Carcraft workers fearing for jobs

Jobs are set to be axed at a Black Country car dealers as the credit crunch hits motor sales, it emerged today.

Workers at Carcraft, in Darlaston, which employs 170 people, say they have been told staff could get the chop in around a month.

It is claimed the withdrawal of in-house finance section Ucan has hit the firm badly, as it previously accounted for a large proportion of sales.

A worker at the showroom in Darlaston Road, who asked not to be named, said the firm was planning to revert back to a single 8am until 5pm shift, instead of the existing two shifts.

“Even if we are one of the lucky ones that gets to keep our jobs, we stand to lose over £2,000 per year in shift allowance,” he said.

Workers say they have been told up to 50 jobs could go, but bosses today would not be drawn on numbers.

Director Barry Nightingale confirmed a review of the business was underway.

“Our ongoing review does not impact on the retail side of the business, only on our vehicle preparation division.”