'Excellent result'

Faiveley Transport workers on Merseyside secure pay increase as strikes avoided

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Strike action at rail engineering company Faiveley Transport Birkenhead Ltd has been avoided after workers agreed a greatly improved pay offer.

The workforce, who are members of Unite, overwhelmingly voted for strike action last month. However, once the company, which produces braking systems for major train companies, was made aware of the ballot result fresh negotiations were held and an improved pay offer was hammered out

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “This is an excellent result, as our members at Faiveley have secured a greatly improved pay increase.

“Unite is entirely focused on improving the jobs, pay and conditions of its members,” she added. “This is an outstanding example of how, where workers are organised and stick together, earnings are higher and pay awards are larger.”

Workers accepted a 3.4 per cent pay increase backdated to April 1 2021, which was substantially better than the two per cent offer, which had strings attached, that they had originally been offered.

In addition the workers will receive an extra 0.6 per cent for utilising a new production tool, provided that overall productivity targets are met. This will also be backdated to April 2021.

Unite regional officer Steve Gerrard added, “Once the company realised that members were not going to back down fresh negotiations were held, a pay offer acceptable to members was made and strike action was avoided.

“It is hoped that following this dispute and its diplomatic resolution, that a new era of co-operation can be achieved with Faiveley and future disputes can be avoided.”

By Barckley Sumner

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