Union joins the row over changes which workers say could leave them £400 out of pocket
The Jaguar Land Rover site at Halewood(Image: LIVERPOOL ECHO)
A row over changes to shifts at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Halewood plant has intensified after the plant’s management was criticised for the ‘unacceptable and deeply frustrating’ way they communicated the proposals.
Last week the ECHO revealed workers at the factory fear losing out on around £400 per week in payments as the car manufacturing giant looks to move workers from a pattern of two shifts per day to just one shift.
While base salaries will not change under the new arrangements, workers will lose the shift premiums they are paid when working on later, unsociable shifts. The business says it is making the changes to enable the ongoing transformation of the site following the announcement of a £500m investment to prepare it for the production of electric vehicles.
But workers say they will lose out and are concerned about their futures. One Halewood worker told the ECHO: “Times are hard at the moment and to lose out on £400 per month will be hard for people.”
Now the Unite union has issued a message to workers at the plant and criticised the company’s management for failing to properly communicate the major changes to their working practices.
In a union note to members at Halewood, seen by the ECHO, Unite representatives said: “As you know JLR communications released a bulletin earlier this week announcing their intention to revert to a one-shift production pattern post-April. While we understand the uncertainty currently facing the automotive industry – particularly considering the shift from Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles to electrification – we find the manner in which this communication was handled both unacceptable and deeply frustrating.
“The bulletin misleadingly suggested that your trade union representatives had been fully briefed on this decision. Let us be clear, this is not true. No consultation has taken place with the trade union regarding the shift change or any of the associated impacts on our members.
Jaguar Land Rover is pumping £500m into its Halewood plant
It adds: “We find the manner in which this communication was handled both unacceptable and deeply frustrating. We have made it clear to management that the handling of this announcement was wholly unacceptable. Following strong representations from us, management has now apologised for their handling of this situation. However, we must stress that an apology does not repair the damage caused by this decision or alleviate the concerns raised.”
In terms of next steps, Unite says it is preparing to enter consultations with JLR management in the coming weeks to ‘seek clarity and firm commitments on these issues’ adding: “Be assured that we will fight tirelessly to ensure your concerns are heard and addressed. Our priority is to safeguard your jobs, your working conditions and your future at Halewood which we believe to be a very bright and positive one building JLR’s next generation of electric vehicles.
Responding to the criticism, JLR bosses confirmed they had issued an apology over the communications. A spokesperson said: “As part of normal business practice, we regularly review our production schedules and adapt shift patterns.
“JLR is investing £500m to transform Halewood and these changes will enable the ongoing electrification of the facility whilst continuing production of ICE vehicles. We have apologised to colleagues for a communication timing error in relation to proposed shift changes as part of this transformation and remain committed to continued discussions with the Trade Union.”