Nissan Workers Vote For Strike Action

LONDON, December 9 -- Nissan workers in the company's purchasing Department have voted by 75% for strike action for the first time in the plants history. The vote was over the Company's failure to enter into meaningful negotiations with the Amicus Trade Union over the proposals to compulsorily relocate the Purchasing Department.

Three months ago Nissan Management informed sixty Purchase Department workers that they intended to relocate their jobs to Cranfield, Bedfordshire, some 240 miles from Sunderland. The employees were just told of the move and that they must notify the Company by 1st January 2004 that they are prepared to move by 1st June 2004.

The Company made this decision without the consultation of the employees involved. Nissan Management have told Amicus that it will be the on site Company Council that will discuss these issues. The general view of the Purchasing Department employees is that these are exceptional circumstances in which they do not believe the Company Council has sufficient experience or leverage to negotiate a fair deal. The Council has failed to, and on some occasions declined to, represent the views of the majority of the Purchasing Department

Mel Barras, North East Regional officer said

"Our members are simply requesting that they want proper consultations over this issue with Amicus the recognised Trade Union at Nissan representing their interests in formal talks with the Company."

A meeting of the Purchasing Department will take place tonight in order to determine the options available.