Liverpool car parts maker starts strike ballot in pay dispute

Unite union members working on contracts by Magna Exteriors (Liverpool) at the Halewood and Ellesmere Port sites have begun balloting for strike action and an overtime ban this week in a dispute over pay and terms and conditions.

About 270 workers, including paint technicians, forklift drivers and process operators at the two sites, are balloting for strike action following proposals by the company which the union says will slash pay rates and erode workers’ terms and conditions.

Unite says the company wants the union to agree to a deal that would freeze pay for two years and involve the axing of shift premiums, which the union believes is worth 16% and 23% of workers’ wages at Halewood and Ellesmere Port, respectively.

The workers make bumper and tailgate parts for vehicles at supply parks in Halewood, and at Ellesmere Port.

They currently supply parts for Vauxhall, Bentley and Nissan vehicles.

The union says the workforce believe they deserve a fairer share of the profits they helped deliver.

It says the company’s latest financial statement showed an increase in pre-tax profit from £989,000 to £6m and an increase in profit per employee from £2,466 in 2015 to £15,539 in 2016.

The ballot will close on Friday May 25.

If members vote in favour of strike action then walk-outs could begin from the end of June, which could have an adverse impact on the production of exterior body panels and potentially disrupt car manufacturers, Unite warned.

The union is calling for Magna management to engage in “urgent and constructive” talks in an attempt to resolve the dispute.

Unite regional officer Steven Gerrard said: “Industrial action is, and always will be an absolute last resort for Unite.

“Yet our members are not prepared to allow the company to attack their pay with the slash and burn policy it seems intent on doing.

“Our members deserve better. Company profits are up. And it is the hard work of our members that has made the company so profitable.

“Despite failed talks with the company to reach a breakthrough, and the union presenting at the request of the employer its counter proposals which were all dismissed by management, we now have no other choice but to ballot our members.

“Unite will remain committed to negotiations up to and beyond the ballot in the hope that an agreement can be reached to avoid our members taking action.

“We urge Magna management to engage with the union for those urgent discussions to take place.”

Magna Exteriors also operates a site in Banbury, Oxfordshire.

No-one from Magna Exteriors was available for comment.