British Ford employees start week of industrial action over pay

Administrative staff working for Ford in Britain kicked off a week of “targeted industrial action” on Monday, as a long-running row over pay and contract changes continues.

Unite members at Ford’s engine plant in Dagenham will protest from 7am all week, while Ford Speke workers will strike from 6am on Wednesday to Friday, the union said.

It follows a strike day on October 30, which saw workers in Dunton, Stratford, Dagenham, Daventry and Halewood withdrawn from work.

It’s part of a row over Ford’s offer to many office workers of a one-off payment through 2024, instead of permanent salary increases, and the imposition of performance-related pay from next year.

There is also disagreement over proposed changes to Ford’s long-standing sick leave policy and collective bargaining agreement with Unite.

And Unite has warned that strikes will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

For its part, Ford insists its offering is competitive and above inflation, with workers receiving double-digit wage growth in recent years.

Employees also enjoy an attractive pension and secondary employment conditions.

But Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described Ford’s offer as “a direct attack on the wages and conditions of its office workers for no other reason than corporate greed.”

She added: ‘Unite never accepts attacks on our members’ jobs, wages or working conditions and Ford staff have the full support of their union.’

A Ford spokesperson said: “Given the overall competitiveness of our overall employee pay and benefits package, and the series of strong annual increases of 20 percent over the past two years, the company’s latest offer of an overall 5 percent pay increase is fair and balanced for 2023/2024.

‘We will continue to work with Unite and our valued staff to resolve the matter.’

In addition, Ford executives, represented by Unite, are also in dispute with the company over pay.

They have taken “non-strike action” over Ford’s proposed performance-related merit award, which they are not guaranteed to receive.

Unite national officer Alison Spencer-Scragg said: “Our members will not relent and are increasingly angry at Ford’s attacks on their pay and conditions.

“This dispute and the disruption it is causing to Ford’s business will continue to worsen until the company makes acceptable offers to both administrative staff and managers.”