Strike action at rail engineering company Faiveley Transport Birkenhead Ltd has been avoided after workers agreed a greatly improved pay offer.

 

Improved pay offer

 

The workforce, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, overwhelmingly voted for strike action last month. However, once the company, which produces braking systems for major train companies, was made aware of the ballot result fresh negotiations were held and an improved pay offer was hammered out

 

Excellent result

 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result, as our members at Faiveley have secured a greatly improved pay increase.

 

“Unite is entirely focused on improving the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. This is an outstanding example of how, where workers are organised and stick together, earnings are higher and pay awards are larger.”

 

Backdated pay offer

 

Workers accepted a 3.4 per cent pay increase backdated to 1 April 2021, which was substantially better than the two per cent offer, which had strings attached, that they had originally been offered.

 

In addition the workers will receive an extra 0.6 per cent for utilising a new production tool, provided that overall productivity targets are met. This will also be backdated to April 2021.

 

Members accepted the offer

 

Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard said: “Once the company realised that members were not going to back down fresh negotiations were held, a pay offer acceptable to members was made and strike action was avoided.

 

“It is hoped that following this dispute and its diplomatic resolution, that a new era of co-operation can be achieved with Faiveley and future disputes can be avoided.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to editors:

 

Faiveley transport workers in Merseyside to ballot for strike action over strings-attached pay offer

 

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

 

 For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 020 3371 2067 or 07802 329235.

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.