DHL industrial action threatens production at Jaguar Land Rover
PRODUCTION at Jaguar Land Rover plants around the UK could be disrupted because of industrial action by its logistics supplier.
Unions representing staff at DHL have been holding talks with management to try and get improved pay and conditions for their members.
Staff at DHL often work alongside better-paid workers at JLR and are believed to want an agreement that puts them on similar terms.
Reports have suggested that DHL workers have been offered a 4.5% increase backdated to January and a 3% increase or the rate of inflation during 2014.
However, Unite is understood to want a 12.8% rise for the 1,800 DHL employees working directly at JLR’s plants in Castle Bromwich, Solihull and Halewood plus 20.6% for the drivers delivering the parts.
The DHL staff manage stock at various warehouses to ensure there is a steady supply of parts to the three factories.
The company is understood to have contacted JLR to inform it of the situation and to warn that industrial action could be a possibility, perhaps as soon as tomorrow.
Unite has not made any comment other than to say it remains a difficult situation.
It is not known the stock levels maintained at the three factories but most modern production methods negate the needs for vast amounts of components to be kept on site. Therefore any disruption to deliveries could well impact production at the three factories very quickly.
The disruption will be an unwelcome on for JLR as it strives to meet growing demand for its vehicles.
New models including the Jaguar F-Type and Range Rover Sport are currently being shipped out for delivery to customers, while the company revealed that week that it had enjoyed record sales in July.
