Think again

Talks between Unite and Unipres have broken down at the automotive company’s facility in Sunderland over proposed changes to a profit-sharing scheme.

Unite had requested a meeting with management following a ballot in which almost 75 per cent of members backed industrial action.

The union has also announced members will begin an overtime ban which from a minute past midnight on Friday, May 6, something that it likely to see the company struggle to meet supply demands.

Unipres – which supplies car parts to Nissan and Honda – has refused to discuss any changes to what was already on the table, or enter into any serious negotiations.

‘Major unfairness’

Unite national officer for car manufacturing Tony Murphy said, “There is a major unfairness in that this would be a self-financing deal because the company wishes to remove money from the current profit share scheme, this is unacceptable.

“Our members are not willing to finance their own deal whilst the company continues to make healthy profits.”

Unite has close to 400 members on site. It’s thought each employee stands to lose £1000 a year under the proposed deal.

Unite regional officer Steve Bush said, “Following a clear mandate from our members and the company’s reluctance to engage in further meaningful negotiations this may well lead to an increased level of action taken by members.

“We ask Unipres management to think again about their stance and the full terms of the deal being offered.”