Amicus members at Land Rover announce start of strike action

LONDON, December 15 -- Amicus members at Land Rover's plant in Solihull will start industrial action in a weeks time, beginning with a continuous ban on overtime commencing on Monday 22nd December.

At a meeting of trade union shop stewards this morning it was also agreed that from 7.30 am on Monday 5th January, trade union members at the plant will withdraw their flexible working time arrangements. Joint action will be coordinated between members of Amicus, TGWU and GMB trade unions.

The action follows ballot results by members of Amicus, the TGWU and the GMB at the plant which showed overwhelmingly support for industrial action over the company's pay offer.

Amicus National Officer, Duncan Simpson, said:

"The fact that the trade unions have not implemented an all out strike demonstrates our willingness to talk to resolve the issue. We would now call upon the company to make a similar positive response."

In the ballot which came in on Friday 12th December, Amicus members voted approximately 60% to 40% in support of strike action over the company pay offer of 61/2% over two years. On the question of action short of a strike, Amicus members also voted overwhelmingly in support.

Workers say the 61/2% deal will not give them parity with other colleagues in Jaguar and voted to reject the offer by 82% in a ballot in October.

The Land Rover plant in Solihull work an Operating Time Flexibility system of annualised hours but will be working a maximum of 37 hours per week as of the 5th January.

Senior shop stewards at the plant will meet again on Wednesday 7th January 2003 to review the position.

For further information please call Catherine Bithell on +44 020 7 420 8909 or +44 07958 473 224