More than 1,000 Ford workers to go on strike on Wednesday

More than 1,000 Ford workers will go on strike on Wednesday in a long-running dispute over pay and contract changes.

Union Unite said on Tuesday that Ford has failed to offer its administrative workers a permanent pay increase. Instead, the car maker has offered many of its office workers a one-off payment for 2024 and wants to impose 100% performance related pay from 2025 for all staff.

Unite said that despite absence running at less than 2%, Ford is attempting to change the long-standing sick pay policy and also wants to change the collective bargaining agreement with the union.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Despite its huge wealth, Ford has launched a direct attack on its office workers’ pay and terms and conditions. The only reason for this is corporate greed.

"The company’s appalling treatment of our members has simply made them more determined to fight against these cruel and unnecessary changes and for a fair pay rise. They have Unite’s total and unflinching support as they strike for a better deal."

The workers are due to walk out for 24 hours on Wednesday and Unite said the strikes will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

Ford managers represented by Unite are also in dispute with the company over pay. They have been taking action short of strike action over Ford’s pay offer of only a performance related merit award, which they are not guaranteed to receive.

Unite said it has offered "affordable and sensible" counter proposals to end both disputes but Ford is refusing to engage in good faith negotiations.

Unite national officer Alison Spencer-Scragg said: "Ford’s attempt to bully its workers into ending industrial action and accepting completely unacceptable deals has failed miserably.

"Strike action will cause significant disruption to Ford’s operations and will continue to escalate. The only way this dispute will end is when Ford puts forward offers that our members can accept."