More than 1,000 Ford staff to strike tomorrow amid warnings industrial action could 'intensify'

The Unite Union reported that Ford has failed to offer its workers a pay increase, instead offering a one-off payment for 2024.

The offer also includes plans to impose 100 per cent performance-related pay from 2025 for all staff, while the sick pay policy could also change.

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The strike action is expected to impact more than 1,000 workers in Dunton, Stratford, Dagenham, Daventry and Halewood.

Unite announced that workers will walk out for 24 hours on October 30. It warned that "strikes will intensify" if the dispute is not resolved.

Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: "Despite its huge wealth, Ford has launched a direct attack on its office workers’ pay and terms and conditions. The only reason for this is corporate greed.

"The company's appalling treatment of our members has simply made them more determined to fight against these cruel and unnecessary changes and for a fair pay rise. They have Unite’s total and unflinching support as they strike for a better deal."

Ford managers represented by Unite are also in a pay dispute, but stopped short of strike action over Ford's pay offer of only performance-related merit work, which they are not guaranteed to receive.

Unite stated that it had offered "affordable and sensible counter proposals" to end both disputes, although claimed Ford was "refusing" to engage in good faith negotiations.

Alison Spencer-Scragg, Unite national officer, said: "Ford's attempt to bully its workers into ending industrial action and accepting completely unacceptable deals has failed miserably.

"Strike action will cause significant disruption to Ford’s operations and will continue to escalate. The only way this dispute will end is when Ford puts forward offers that our members can accept."

A spokesperson for Ford told GB News: "Considering the overall competitiveness of our General Salary Roll employee pay and benefits package, the company's final offer of a five per cent total pay increase for 2023/24 is fair and balanced.

"We will continue to engage with Unite and our valued employees and endeavour to resolve the matter."

The latest pay offer from Ford, combined with the past two years amounts to over 25 per cent. The company also continues to offer two years of full sick pay to employees.

Industrial action is also taking place across Europe as major manufacturers fail to agree to deals with their employees, affecting production and operations.

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Ford workers in Cologne, Germany, have started strike action alongside other workers from the metal and electronics industries, led by IG Metall - Germany's largest union of almost 2.3 million members.

Workers are also striking in Marienfelde, Berlin, as Mercedes employees join those from railway contractor Stadler, in Pankow, Berlin, over pay disputes.

Similar strikes are taking place in Bielefeld where auto parts manufacturers cannot reach a pay deal. The workers are calling for a seven per cent boost, while the employer is offering a 3.6 per cent increase.