Ford staff to strike across the UK this week as major car brand launches ‘direct assault on workers’

Strikes impacting one of the biggest motor companies in the world have escalated, with key operations being affected by industrial action this week across the UK.

Ford salary staff have gone on strike today in response to the claims that the manufacturer is “refusing to address the workers’ concerns around pay and contract changes”.

The company offered many of its office workers a one-off payment for 2024 with new measures from 2025 seeing all staff paid via a 100 per cent performance-related pay scheme.

The Unite union also pointed out how although absences are at less than two per cent, Ford wanted to change the long-standing sick pay policy.

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More than 800 workers took one day of strike action on October 30, with targeted action taking place this week in Dagenham and Speke, Merseyside.

The Unite Union has previously warned that it will escalate strike action further if the dispute is not resolved.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said: “Ford has launched a direct assault on its office workers’ pay and conditions for no other reason than corporate greed.

“It is an appalling way to behave by a company that is already massively wealthy. Unite never accepts attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions and Ford’s workforce have their union’s total backing.”

Strikes at Ford’s Dagenham engine plant will take place between November 11 and 15, while strikes at the Speke plant will begin on November 13 and end on November 15.

A demonstration will also take place outside of the Dagenham engine plant at midday on Wednesday, November 13.

Speaking to GB News, a Ford spokesperson said: “Considering the overall competitiveness of our General Salary Roll employee pay and benefits package, and the series of strong annual increases amounting to 20 per cent over the past two years, the company’s final offer of a five per cent total pay increase for 2023/24 is fair and balanced.

“We will continue to engage with Unite and our valued employees and endeavour to resolve the matter.”

The latest pay offer from the manufacturer, combined with pay increases over the last two years, amounts to over 25 per cent for this group. Ford will also continue to offer two years of full sick pay to employees.

Ford employees also benefit from discounts on Ford vehicles and parts, have a holiday bonus equivalent to around six weeks’ pay and have access to an industry-leading pensions scheme.

Ford managers represented by Unite are also in dispute with the company over pay and have been taking short of strike action in response to the performance-related merit award.

According to the union, Unite has offered “affordable and sensible counter proposals” in a bid to end the dispute, while Ford “is refusing to engage in good faith negotiations”.

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Unite national officer Alison Spencer-Scragg said: “Our members will not back down and are increasingly angry about Ford’s attacks on their pay and conditions.

“This dispute and the disruption it is causing to Ford’s operations will continue to worsen until the company puts forward acceptable offers to both its admin staff and managers.”