Workers
at the Coventry plant of car manufacturer Peugeot have voted to reduce their
working hours to save jobs.
Around
2,000 workers were given the choice of losing an entire shift, resulting in 700
job losses, or facing across-the-board cuts to working hours.
Members
of the Amicus union voted in favour of the across-the-board option.
According
to Sky News, Amicus joint general secretary Derek Simpson said: "We
acknowledge some hardship will be incurred through the loss of hours. But we
congratulate members for the positive vote to share the pain and we are hopeful
the situation will improve."
Peugeot
bosses say the company needs to cut costs because of a drop-off in sales.
A
statement from Peugeot said: "The company is pleased that the proposals
for reducing working time and retaining D shift have been accepted by 67 per
cent of the employees who voted.
"These
new working arrangements will be introduced from the beginning of
September."
