Vauxhall workers vote for strike

The Ellesmere Port plant produces the Vauxhall Astra

Workers at the Vauxhall car plant in Ellesmere Port have voted to strike in a dispute over a pay package.

Staff will meet on Saturday to discuss when to start the action although bosses plan to hold more talks with the Transport and General Workers' Union.

The strike vote by TGWU members was backed by 75% of those who voted while 88% supported industrial action short of a strike. The turnout was 68%.

About 3,000 workers are employed at the plant producing the Vauxhall Astra.

The two-year pay offer is worth 3% in the first year and the rate of inflation in year two.

'Unacceptable offer'

But the TGWU said other elements were unacceptable including increased pension contributions, temporary staff on shorter contracts, scrapping pay parity for contractors and switching from weekly to monthly pay.

TGWU official Mick Whitley said: "The package is clearly unacceptable to our members as the strength of this vote shows.

"We will now inform the company of the ballot result and seek a meeting to give them an opportunity to improve the offer.

"If this cannot be done we will then decide what form of industrial action to take."

A company spokesman said: "We are extremely disappointed at the outcome of the vote and will hold further talks with the union about the way forward."