Visteon workers strike over broken agreement
25th August 2009
Members of Unite working for Visteon Engineering Services (VES)
in Chelmsford began a three day strike today in a dispute over the
company's refusal to pay a 5.25 per cent contractual pay rise.
VES, which is owned by Visteon Corporation, has a long-standing
agreement with the union to provide terms and conditions and pay
deals which mirror Ford terms.
The company has broken this agreement forcing its employees into
a position where they have no other choice than to take strike
action. Last ditch talks failed to resolve the dispute despite the
union having received legal advice from its lawyers that the pay
increase is a contractual right.
The pay deal was negotiated back in October and is linked into
the Ford pay deal which has been paid to every Ford worker and
every Visteon worker including those who have transferred (under
TUPE) to other companies.
Brian Harris, Unite regional officer said: "VES is offering our
members nothing. The company is riding roughshod over the workers'
contractual rights. The union has received legal advice and has
lodged cases against the company with its solicitors. Unite will be
using all its industrial and legal influence to restore this pay
deal.
"To make matters worse, the company has paid senior managers
bonuses arguing that they are contractual rights but VES is not
prepared to apply the same principles to its other workers."
The workers voted three to one in favour of strike action.
Another three day strike is planned for 1st, 2nd and 3rd September.
Today's strike began at 6.00am today (25th August). VES is a
interior design centre for the automotive industry and carries out
work for Ford.
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315 or Brian Harris on 07798
531 014
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