Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Pay cut for car plant's workforce
Staff at Swindon's Honda plant have been told they will have their pay cut.
Workers at the Japanese car maker had been told to expect a cut because not enough workers had taken redundancy when it was offered last February.
The pay cut is said to be temporary but workers are already on a four-month shutdown at the Wiltshire-based plant.
Now when they return in June, a 3% pay cut for workers and a 5% pay cut for management will be introduced until March 2010.
One worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said the move would mean about £1,000 in loss of earnings a year.
A Honda spokesman said the decision was taken to ensure the long-term survival of the company in Swindon.
The company closed its UK plant in the town for four months last February.
The shutdown is thought to be one of the longest in Britain's recent industrial history.
The move came in response to the downturn in the UK car market.
Production staff, who install and upgrade machinery rather than make cars, are continuing to work at Swindon during the shutdown.
DATED: 13.05.09
FEED: AW
