Van workers back deal

Vauxhall van workers have overwhelmingly backed a pay deal that secures investment in the Luton van plant and guarantees jobs for over a decade, Unite announced today (April 20).

Just over 68 per cent of Unite members voted to accept a pay deal which will see workers receive a ÂŁ750 lump sum and an additional 1.5 per cent pay rise in January 2019. As part of the pay deal van workers will also see a 30 per cent reduction in banked hours, meaning it will take workers two-thirds of the time it currently does to pay back hours that are banked during plant shutdowns.

Acceptance of the deal now paves the way for PSA to fulfil its promised investment in new van production at the Luton plant and secures jobs up to 2028 on a site where vehicles have been built since 1905.

“Our Vauxhall members have voted in considerable numbers to accept the pay deal, which is great news and means we can now focus on bringing the new vehicle and up to 450 jobs to Luton,” said Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.

“I want to place on record my thanks to our convenors and members for all the work they have done to make this progress possible.

“I urge PSA to note once again the positive spirit and commitment of our members at Vauxhall, and to move forward with investment now in Ellesmere Port.”