Sheerness dock workers that process Volkswagen Group vehicles including Audi, Porsche and Skoda models are being balloted for strike action over pay.
GB Terminals dock workers have been offered what they call a ‘derisory’ pay offer of a 3.2% increase, which union Unite, said is a “significant real terms pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, is running at 11.3%”.
The potential strike action would cause a delay with stock on transporters reaching VW, Audi, Porsche, Seat and Skoda dealerships across the UK.
The ballot for strike action beings on July 4 and closes on July 21. Workers at GB Terminals also threatened strike action over pay in 2019.
GB Terminals latest financial statement to Companies House show it had a turnover of £16.4 million for the year ending April 2022. The company made gross profits of £2.1m and an operating profit of £435,914.
The business had a wage bill (including directors) of £4.1m in 2022 from 170 employees. GB Terminals also reduced its number of employees by 65 last year and reduced its total wage cost by £575,510.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described GB Terminals as a business “in robust financial health that can afford to pay its workers a reasonable rise”.
Unite regional officer Phil Silkstone said: “VW will not be happy that the supply of new vehicles into the UK could be severely disrupted because GB Terminals is refusing to put a fair pay deal to its workers.
“Strike action can be avoided and Unite suggests VW pressure GB Terminals to get back into negotiations and put forward an offer our members can accept.”
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- PlatoData.Network Vertical Generative Ai. Empower Yourself. Access Here.
- PlatoAiStream. Web3 Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- PlatoESG. Automotive / EVs, Carbon, CleanTech, Energy, Environment, Solar, Waste Management. Access Here.
- BlockOffsets. Modernizing Environmental Offset Ownership. Access Here.
- Source: https://www.am-online.com/news/market-insight/2023/07/04/dock-worker-strike-action-could-create-vw-group-stock-shortages
