Strike disruption threat to Ford's Dagenham engine plant

Logistics workers based at Ford's engine manufacturing plant in Dagenham, Essex, are being balloted for industrial action.

More than 120 workers for Lineside Logistics, based at Ford’s site, are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, and if support is strong enough at the May 2 deadline they could begin strikes next month.

The workforce has rejected a pay offer of 7.5 per cent which Unite says is in reality a substantial real terms pay cut with the real inflation rate (RPI) currently standing at 13.8 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Lineside Logistics is a profitable company which can afford to give our members a fair pay increase. The company should stop prevaricating and make a pay offer in line with its workers’ expectations.

“Unite as a union is totally focused on its members’ jobs, pay and conditions and the workforce at Lineside Logistics will receive the union’s full support.”

Lineside Logistics is Ford’s key contractor at Dagenham and for Ford’s worldwide engine and parts distribution network, including to Turkey and South Africa. Industrial action would result in severe distribution and production delays to the operation as engines and parts would not be delivered.

The company is profitable, according to its latest accounts filed at Companies House reveal that in 2021 it made a healthy profit.

Unite regional officer Joe Welch said: “Industrial action would cause huge disruption to the just in time delivery model at Ford’s Dagenham plant and across its worldwide operations, however this dispute is entirely of Lineside Logistics own making. Unite has given the company ample opportunities to make a fair pay offer and it has refused to do so.”