Bentley Motors staff reject pay offer
WORKERS at luxury car-maker Bentley have rejected a two-year pay offer.
Union representatives had recommended that members at the Crewe-based firm should accept the offer; a four per cent pay rise from next year and three per cent in 2013.
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Bentley Motors
But Unite members voted by a "marginal majority" to reject it and representatives say they will now hold further discussions with company bosses.
Bentley employs just under 4,000 people at its Pyms Lane base.
Last month The Sentinel reported that global sales were up more than 30 per cent so far this year, compared with the same period in 2010, with its models performing particularly well in China.
So far this year the firm has won a total of £4.7 million of Government funding in two separate grants from the Regional Growth Fund, to help it boost training and skills development and develop new engine technology.
Unite regional officer Phil Morgan said: "In essence the pay offer was four per cent from year one and three per cent in year two, starting in 2012. The union shop stewards felt it was an offer they could recommend for acceptance, but unfortunately our members voted by a marginal majority to reject it.
"Obviously we have to respect the outcome of that ballot so what we'll be looking to do now is re-enter a dialogue with the company over the next week or so and see if we can find a solution.
"This is the first stage, there is dialogue to be had to see if we can find some way forward."
A spokesman for Bentley said: "The company's offer was our final offer following significant negotiations with trade union representatives.
"It reflected the context of the business recovery while recognising there remains an environment of economic uncertainty.
"We are seeking a two year deal to ensure there is stability while we focus on investment, including development of the brand and new markets as well as new model introductions.
"Given this rejection, it is now up to the work force representatives to consider their position."
8 Comments
by fredthefrib
Wednesday, December 07 2011, 3:43PM
“scfcscfc08
Which are you chicken or egg, let me guess?
Maybe you're a camel, they bury their heads in the sand like public sector workers.
I'd rather government lend to producers to help them out in rough times than give it to themselves, and the rest of the public sectors overblown gravy train "workers".
They should also squeeze the banks for taxpayers bailout money, and they should also cap bank employees bonuses and top earners pay increases and bonuses.
As you might have guessed by now I worked in private industry until Blair and Golden Brown scuppered the ship along with the Bankers leaving this area shipwrecked on no mans land.
Are you going to tell me it would be wrong if by some miracle the powers that be gave us a leg up to get our proud industries ticking again.
Government money is what is needed for private industry in times like these, not money to protect public sector workers pensions and enhanced terms and conditions.
Fair pensions for all or no one, payed for and based on a percentage of earnings across the board.
I am not a political person at all with no axe to grind, to me they're all useless the present International mess says it all.
And as I said previously the pay offer to the Bentley workforce in my opinion in present circumstances is genourous, take it and be grateful.”
by fredthefrib
Wednesday, December 07 2011, 3:40PM
“scfcscfc08
Which are you chicken or egg, let me guess?
Maybe you're a came,l they bury their heads in the sand like public sector workers.
I'd rather government lend to producers to help them out in rough times than give it to themselves, and the rest of the public sectors overblown gravy train "workers".
They should also squeeze the banks for taxpayers bailout money, and they should also cap bank employees bonuses and top earners pay increases and bonuses.
As you might have guessed by now I worked in private industry until Blair and Golden Brown scuppered the ship along with the Bankers leaving this area shipwrecked on no mans land.
Are you going to tell me it would be wrong if by some miracle the powers that be gave us a leg up to get our proud industries ticking again.
Government money is what is needed for private industry in times like these, not money to protect public sector workers pensions and enhanced terms and conditions.
Fair pensions for all or no one, payed for and based on a percentage of earnings across the board.
I am not a political person at all with no axe to grind, to me they're all useless the present International mess says it all.
And as I said previously the pay offer to the Bentley workforce in my opinion in present circumstances is genourous, take it and be grateful.”
by scfcscfc08
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 10:10PM
“Fredthefrib Sheesh read what it says:
'So far this year the firm has won a total of £4.7 MILLION OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING in two separate grants from the Regional Growth Fund'.
Why should we give them £4.7 million when their workers demand exorbitant pay rises at the height of the austerity cuts?
Dividing that £4,700,000 between 4,000 is equivalent to giving each worker a pay rise of £1,175, which is what their demands would probably bring them, so give them nowt like everyone else is getting and use the £4.7million to help maintain police numbers.
If Bentley is a private company and they can afford such a pay rise then they can afford to boost training and skills development and develop new engine technology themselves and without our money.”
by fredthefrib
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 9:01PM
“May I add that I think the offer to the Bentley workforce is a good one, I wish I was one of the workforce I'd be grateful to accept it in present circumstances.”
by fredthefrib
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 8:54PM
“scfcscfc08(prat)
Bentley is a private sector manufacturing company making money.
The public sector don't do that they only spend tax payers money, and then demand crazy pensions compared with the people who actually make the money that drives the economy.
Which comes first the chicken or the egg?”
by Eamufc
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 7:56PM
“Ere we go again!!! People commenting on a situation that they dont know all the details of!! Worldwide increase in sales. Profitability projection forecasts of £210 million over 2 years and we are not even offered the current inflation rate that is being offered to those on benefits!!”
by daveboy1970
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 4:57PM
“In this economic climate they should count them selves lucky they have jobs let alone a pay rise.”
by scfcscfc08
Tuesday, December 06 2011, 9:56AM
“£4.7 million of Government funding but workers at luxury car-maker Bentley have REJECTED a two-year pay offer of a FOUR PER CENT PAY RISE from next year and THREE PER CENT in 2013.
THAT'S TYPICAL OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR and how does that compare with the greatly maligned public sector?”