Unite has issued a warning to Ford on the potential of strikes across its UK sites involving white-collar employees unless the corporate engages in negotiations.
The union is insisting that the automotive manufacturer must take part in talks with the conciliation service Acas, or else Unite will proceed with preparing its members for industrial motion balloting.
Ford’s proposals for over 3,000 salaried staff and managers have been overwhelmingly rejected by greater than 90% of each groups, based on the union.
Specifically, many salaried staff have been offered a one-time, unconsolidated payment of 5% of their salary for 2024, effectively leading to no wage increase for the yr.
Moreover, management grades, which have recently gained union recognition, have been presented with a performance-related bonus scheme that gives no guarantee of a cost-of-living adjustment.
Unite criticises Ford for suggesting changes to absence procedures despite acknowledging no issues with staff attendance.
Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, accuses Ford of prioritising corporate greed over fair compensation for employees and asserts the union’s unwavering support for its members’ rights.
Despite Unite’s rejection of Ford’s pay offers, the corporate has reportedly declined to interact in Acas-mediated talks, prompting Unite to think about initiating a proper ballot for industrial motion.
Unite national officer, Allison Spencer-Scragg, said: “Ford’s workforce has rightly rejected these unacceptable pay offers. Anger amongst our members is such that if Ford continues to refuse to attend Acas talks, Unite may have no alternative but to start proceedings to carry a proper ballot for industrial motion. I urge Ford to reconsider its position.”
Ford, nevertheless, states that it has been in pay negotiations because the previous two-year deal expired at the top of last yr and stays open to dialogue, stating: “Whilst trade union members have voted internally at a members vote to reject the corporate’s offer, Ford stays willing to proceed dialogue through our established bargaining frameworks on the fair and balanced offer made.”
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
