HUNDREDS of Ford workers including those in Dunton are set to take strike action in dispute over pay, a union says. 

According to Unite, Ford managers at sites across the country will begin industrial action later this month in a dispute over pay.

The workers, at sites in Dunton, Stratford, Dagenham, Daventry, and Halewood, have overwhelmingly rejected Ford’s pay offer of only a performance related merit award.

Unite claim the dispute is being exacerbated by Ford’s refusal to enter into meaningful negotiations, including with the independent conciliation service Acas.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Not content with making billions in profits, Ford has decided to try and attack our members’ pay out of sheer corporate greed.

“Performance related payments give no guarantee of an actual pay rise and leave these workers in danger of facing cuts to their wages.

"They are absolutely right to take industrial action and they have the full support of Unite in doing so.”

Unite say that Ford reported a full year net income of $4.3 billion on revenues of $176 billion for 2023 – an increase of 11.4 per cent. 

The workers will begin working to rule and an overtime ban on June 14. The union claim that the industrial action will severely impact all of Ford’s UK operations.

Alison Spencer-Scragg, Unite national officer, added: “Ford signed a collective agreement for these workers last year, but since then has caused widespread anger by completely disregarding it.

"It is completely unacceptable that Ford is trying to impose a corporate performance model that undervalues this key management group’s contribution to the company’s success.

“Workers have organised for a voice surrounding their pay and conditions and expect their union to be treated respectfully through a recognised collective process.

"This dispute will continue to escalate unless Ford engages in meaningful negotiations, with an intention to reach agreement surrounding the very reasonable resolutions already tabled by Unite.”

Strike action may be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

In response, a spokesman for Ford said: "We regret that it has resulted in this outcome considering the fair and balanced offer made and the competitiveness of our LL6 pay and benefits package.

"We will continue to engage with Unite and our employees and endeavour to resolve the matter."