STORIES MANUFACTURING MANUFACTURING
Rolls-Royce workers hailed
Unite hailed the pivotal role played by its Rolls-Royce members in securing a new large engine test bed facility after the engine maker announced it was investing £150m in its East Midlands plants in Derby, Hucknall and Annesley.
Potentially leading to further investment, the announcement effectively secures the manufacturing base of Roll-Royce in the UK for the next 20 years, along with 7,000 high quality jobs.
“This is great news for a world beating workforce making world class engines and testament to the hard work of Unite’s members,” commented Unite general secretary Len McCluskey.
“It is a good day for British manufacturing that must not be undone by a botched Brexit,” he added.
Find out more HERE Find out more HERE BMW’s new offer accepted
Unite members making Mini and Rolls-Royce motor cars for BMW, voted to accept a revised offer over the closure of their final salary pension scheme, in July, ending the dispute which had seen walkouts halt production.
The revised offer sees the closure of the final salary pension scheme and workers moved into one of the leading defined contribution pension schemes in the auto industry.
“BMW initially thought it could railroad its pension changes through with transitional payments of just £7,000,” said Unite national officer Fred Hanna.
“It’s testament to Unite members’ resolve and solidarity that the carmaker was forced to more than triple these payments and give additional guarantees. We look forward to working with BMW to ensure the world beating Mini and Rolls-Royce motor cars go from strength to strength.”
See pages 12 and 13 MANUFACTURING
Bentley ground breaking deal
Unite agreed a multi-year pay deal in June for over 2,000 workers at luxury carmaker Bentley, in Crewe. As part of the pay deal workers will see their basic hours reduced from 37 hours to 35 hours a week while their pay increases by 6.5 per cent.
The multi-year pay deal which is backdated to January 1, 2017 means workers will receive a consolidated payment worth £900 over three years.
There will also be the potential for members to earn significant bonuses linked to delivery, quality and efficiency. The reduction in hours, due to come in on January 1, 2019 will
8 uniteWORKS Summer 2017
mean no loss of pay. The agreement also provides for an improvement in company sick pay and holiday pay premiums.
“Establishing a 35 hour week at Bentley is a real breakthrough,” commented Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke.
“It sets a standard to aim for in the automotive sector and in manufacturing companies. Unite has a good relationship with the company – our reps and our members can be very proud of this achievement.”
See pages 10, 11 and 34.
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Mark Thomas
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