AMMANFORD workers employed by car seat manufacturer Pullmaflex have secured an inflation busting double digit pay rise after voting for strike action.
Around 200 workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, voted to accept a two year pay deal that was offered after they balloted in favour of industrial action.
For 2024, shopfloor Pullmaflex workers’ pay will go up by a total of eight per cent. Wages for workers performing shift manager, maintenance and other roles will increase by a total 4.8 per cent during the same period.
In January 2025, shop floor workers’ pay will increase by a further 2.5 per cent. Their pay will increase again in April to maintain the differential between their wages and the new national legal minimum. In total, the deal for shopfloor workers is worth at least 10.5 per cent over two years as well as the differential applied above the minimum wage increase for 2025.
Shift managers, maintenance workers and other roles will receive a total pay rise of 3.8 per cent for 2025, meaning their wages will increase by a total of 8.6 per cent over two years.
The deal also ensures that shift premiums are calculated on a percentage point basis, further increasing the total take home pay for all the workers.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “By voting for strike action, Pullmaflex’s workers showed the company they were serious about receiving a fair pay rise and ensured they got one. As this result demonstrates, Unite’s absolute focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is putting money in our members’ pockets.”
The pay victory comes as workers employed by automotive firm Gestamp in nearby Llanelli voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over pay.
Strikes at Gestamp, which brought in revenues of €12.3 billion in 2023, would severely impact the supply of critical metal components to Nissan, BMW, JLR, Aston Martin and INEOS.
Industrial action at Gestamp is set to be announced in the coming days if the highly profitable company does not improve its derisory pay offer, which would leave its lowest paid workers earning little more than the minimum wage.
Unite regional officer Andrew Pearson said: “Strike action can still be avoided at Gestamp, as it was at Pullmaflex, but that will require the company to put forward a pay offer Unite’s members can accept.
“Gestamp’s finances are extremely healthy and it can well afford to table a fair deal. If that does not happen the resultant disruption to Nissan, BMW, JLR, Aston Martin and INEOS will be entirely Gestamp’s fault.”
