Workers at Mahle are to strike for three weeks over a pay dispute.
Unite the union announced this morning that staff at the Kilmarnock factory voted for industrial action to take place later this month.
Around 130 workers at the plant's materials unit took part in the vote with almost 90 per cent supporting strike action over a pay dispute and terms and conditions with 82 per cent of members taking part in the ballot.
Over 95 per cent of the workers also supported taking action short of a strike including an overtime ban.
In September 2020, Mahle Engine Systems bosses announced a plan to cut up to 45 jobs at the Riccarton plant.
Now workers will take part in three 7-day periods of strike action starting at 7.30am on March 14 to 21, March 28 to April 4, and April 11 to 18. There will also be a continuous ban on overtime starting at 7.30am on March 14.
The workers are contesting the current holiday entitlement provisions and contractual clauses which can shut the plant down for two weeks at any given period.
The plant makes high-quality components for motorsport engines, combustion engines and electric vehicles.
Unite chiefs said today that there's growing anger and resentment towards the firm.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "This is a resounding mandate for industrial action at Mahle which comes in the wake of successive rounds of cuts over many years. Quite clearly, these highly skilled workers have had enough and Mahle would be wise to think again.
“Unite’s members are fighting to improve their conditions and entitlements at Mahle, and they have our full support in fighting for better jobs, terms and conditions at the plant in Kilmarnock.”
Unite industrial officer, Paul Bennett added: “The dispute at Mahle centres on the holiday entitlements of our members. We have tried to resolve this in discussions but with no progress made, there is growing anger and resentment towards the company.
“Industrial action is set to hit the plant in the coming weeks unless the company changes tack. We ask Mahle to engage with Unite to provide a solution which addresses our members’ concerns and prevents an escalation in the dispute.”
In September 2020, the German owned company announced in mid-September that it was planning to reduce its workforce by 7,600 people in response to the industry collapse caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mahle specifically cited a weakening of the global demand in passenger car and truck sales with vehicle markets not expected to recover for some years as the primary cause for the massive job cuts.
Mahle have been contacted for comment.
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