Strike ends at Langley
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• The seven-week strike at lveco Ford's Langley production plant ended last week when the 1,100 workers accepted an 11.5% pay offer.
But the two-year deal, which involves new working practices, is "disappointing and nothing outlandish" says the negotiating Transport and General Workers' Union.
It includes a 9.25% rise in basic wages with a 2.25% flexibility payment. An 8.5%-9% increase has been offered for the second year, or the rate of inflation if that is higher.
Two extra skilled grades have been added to the fivetier technical grading, which Iveco Ford says will help the firm recruit more skilled labour.
Team leaders are to be introduced across the plant. "This has been one of the major problems," says Tony Woodley, national automotive officer for the TGWU.
The settlement also includes an improved pension scheme and two extra days' holiday, to be taken during plant shutdowns. Iveco Ford rejected TGWU proposals for a shorter working week, and Woodley warns: "Hours will be a big priority for the union in future negotiations."
He insists that the new deal gives the Langley plant a secure future: "The truck market is having serious problems. lveco could have taken another look at Langley. That was most certainly a serious threat."
lveco Ford will not disclose the cost of the strike. It says the dispute has "adjusted stocks" in a market running 25% below last year's level, "but it would be wrong to say it hasn't hurt us," says personnel director Mel Lambert. "We have probably lost customers we won't get back."