Staff's fury over work longer bid

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Jan 15, 2007

Byline: By Nick Whitten

Disgruntled Nissan staff in a long running pay row have been offered a rise ( but only if they work more.

The Chronicle has obtained a briefing memo sent to the 4,500 staff at Nissan's Washington car plant on plans for a self-funded pay rise.

The memo said for staff to get a pay rise they would have to work more hours. It reads: "Staff would be rewarded for working extra time by an increase in their salary. This would result in an annual salary increase, but would not necessarily increase your hourly rate."

The proposals never got off the ground, leading Nissan chiefs to offer a 2% pay rise, but staff dismissed this as insulting.

Workers say the rise is a long way below current inflation of 3.9%.

One worker, who did not want to be named, said: "In the last five years, because of changes in shift starting and finishing times we've lost pounds 80 a month in wages.

"We have lost our free private medical cover, which now costs us pounds 17 a month and we've had to pay extra into our pension schemes.

"Then we were told if we wanted something more then we would have to work harder to get it, which isn't really a pay rise at all is it. They are treating the best workforce in Europe with utter contempt.

"We have been offered a rise half the current rate of inflation from a company which announced record profits for the seventh year running. It is corporate greed at its worst."

The long running pay row has sparked fears of strike action. Amicus, which has 1,500 members at Nissan, have a high profile recruitment campaign going on at the plant.

Scooters sporting Amicus logos have been parked visibly at the Nissan plant's gates.

Dave Telford, regional officer for Amicus, said: "The campaign is going very well. A number of application forms have been requested and we are pleased with the response.

"We also have a meeting planned for 10am on Sunday, January 21 which is open to union and non-union members. We hope as many people as possible will attend.

"The next steps now depend on the company and what they offer will determine our next step.

"But in the event of another rejection we will ballot our members for industrial action."

A Nissan spokesman said: "We are still talking with staff to get this resolved."