Honda workers to vote on whether to cut bosses' pay
15th May 2009
Workers at Honda in Swindon will begin voting today (Friday) on
whether to cut the pay of their bosses.
The workers are being asked to take a temporary three percent
pay cut for 10 months when they return to work on June 1st from a
four month shutdown, in order to protect 490 surplus jobs at the
plant. But if the workers vote in favour of the cut, Honda mangers
will receive a heftier five percent cut.
The proposed pay cut, which the union is recommending, would be
to protect 490 surplus jobs for a period of ten months from June.
After this time Honda expects the car market to improve and absorb
the surplus jobs. In return for agreeing to the cut, the workers
will receive a bonus of six additional days of paid leave.
Unite regional officer Jim D'Avila said: "In return for a
temporary three percent cut in pay we can ensure that hundreds of
workers will stay in work. A 'yes' vote will also mean that
the managers will have to take a bigger cut of five percent.
“The car industry is facing one of its most difficult periods.
Honda has already been forced to shut down the plant in Swindon for
four months and is due to open again on June 1st. The workers have
been paid during this period and will pay the company back by
working extra hours once they return to work. This agreement sets
an industry benchmark for protecting jobs during this
recession."
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo, Unite press officer on: 07768 931 315 or
Jim D'Avila, Unite officer on: 07788 641 516
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