MG
Rover staff at the company’s Longbridge plant have voted to strike over term
and conditions.
Transport
and General Trade Union members voted by a 3:2 majority in favour of strike
action over the company’s 2.2 per cent pay increase, an increase of 12 to 18
weeks maternity pay, and a reduction in the length of service needed to gain
extra holiday.
The union claims its members feel "badly
betrayed and let down" by the company, and that the offer does not reflect
the considerable contribution staff have made to the firm.
Dave
Osborne, T&G national secretary for the car industry said: "The ballot
result is not surprising. As the financial performance of the company improves
year-on-year, the company’s response to their most prized asset is a wage offer
that will inevitably lead to a reduction in our members’ living standards.
"This
is clearly not acceptable to our members and is certainly not acceptable to the
T&G. If the financial position of the company determines an offer to the
workforce that can only be described as abysmal, then the management should
lead by example, rather than award themselves big pay hikes.
"We
do not seek confrontation. We seek a settlement that is fair, just and
reasonable and we call upon the company to re-open negotiations so that a
sensible and negotiated settlement can be achieved."
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