Vauxhall staff cut working hours

The Ellesmere Port plant stopped production for one month

Staff at Vauxhall's car plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton are taking a cut in pay after agreement was reached to reduce their working hours.

The changes are part of plans by parent company General Motors to cuts costs as it copes with falling sales.

Following talks between company bosses and unions, workers at Ellesmere Port have been told their working week will be reduced from 38 to 30 hours.

Workers in Luton could also see their hours reduced from 37 to 30 per week.

'Supportive' dialogue

About 400 members of staff who are employed at the General Motors Parts Warehouse operation in Luton will also move from 38 to 34 hours per week.

Staff at all bases have been told their wages will be paid even if the plant is on a "down" day when they are not manufacturing vehicles.

About 2,000 people are employed at the Cheshire plant, which produces the Astra five-door model and the Astra van.

There are about 1,400 staff at Luton, where the Vivaro van is made.

A statement from Vauxhall said: "The working time reduction agreements have been reached following extensive talks between senior GM management representatives from across all GM's European Operations and senior Trade Union leaders.

"Dialogue has been constructive and supportive."

The Ellesmere Port factory shut down for a month over Christmas, which the company said was in response to the slump in sales.