STAFF at Ellesmere Port’s Vauxhall factory have reason to celebrate today as the five millionth car rolls off the production line.
This year marks the company’s 50th anniversary of operations, a huge turnaround from 2012 when a long-term deal with Unite the Union saved it from closure.
Since its formation, the site has employed tens of thousands of people, many from Wirral.
Employment peaked in 1974 when it employed 12,000 people. It currently employs just under 2,000 people.
Following its deal with Unite, the factory secured production of the next generation Astra.
A further 300 workers will be taken on ahead of production, which starts in autumn 2015.
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