Workers at Merseyside’s Ford factory are set to join a national strike.
Staff at the Halewood plant will join colleagues across the country in a 24-hour walkout as part of ongoing disputes over pay and contract changes.
Wednesday’s industrial action, which will see around 1,000 employees take part, has been called by the Unite union since issues arose in late August.
Union bosses claim that Ford are ‘attempting to change the long-standing sick pay policy and also wants to change the collective bargaining agreement’.
Sharon Graham, Unite’s general secretary, said: “Despite its huge wealth, Ford has launched a direct attack on its office workers’ pay and terms and conditions. The only reason for this is corporate greed.
“The company’s appalling treatment of our members has simply made them more determined to fight against these cruel and unnecessary changes and for a fair pay rise.
“They have Unite’s total and unflinching support as they strike for a better deal.”
Responding to the planned strikes, a Ford spokesperson said: “Considering the overall competitiveness of our General Salary Roll employee pay and benefits package, the company’s final offer of a 5 percent total pay increase for 2023/24 is fair and balanced.
“We will continue to engage with Unite and our valued employees and endeavour to resolve the matter.”