More than 200 workers at Fife factory Bosch Rexroth are going on strike this week in a dispute over pay and shift changes.
Staff at the firm’s base in Glenrothes will walk out over a pay dispute that union Unite says will leave them £7,000 a year worse off.
The German-owned global tech and engineering giant has proposed a 6% pay deal.
However, Unite believes that represents a “significant” pay cut with inflation at 11.7%.
The employers are also refusing to backdate the pay award to January 1 or to reverse changes to shift patterns and shift allowances.
Management urged to ‘think again’
Workers at the engineering firm have rejected the company’s proposal by 74%.
A total of 245 union members Bosch Rexroth will take strike action for a week from Tuesday.
Thereafter they will strike every Monday and Tuesday going forward with an ongoing ban on overtime throughout.
In 2020, staff voiced concerns that the Fife factory remained open despite a worker testing positive for Covid-19
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Disgracefully, Bosch Rexroth is another employer that is coining it in yet is hell-bent on destroying wages.
“Bosch’s order books are bulging and the company is boasting of a very bright future, so there is no need whatsoever to make this Scottish workforce poorer.
“My message to Bosch’s management is to think again and come back to the table with an improved offer because Unite is determined to defend our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”
Bosch Rexroth’s strong financial position
Unite says Bosch Rexroth, a subsidiary of Bosch, is in a strong financial position and has no need to attack the workers’ pay and conditions.
In its 2021 annual report, Bosch Rexroth boasted of `reaching a new high on incoming orders’ which have generated sales of £5.4 billion.
Bosch Rexroth, based at Viewfield Industrial Estate in Glenrothes, engineer parts for the construction industry including gears and brakes, as well as parts for forklift trucks.
Unite regional officer George Ramsay said: “These pay proposals will leave workers thousands of pounds out of pocket at a time when the cost of living crisis deepens.
“To implement shift changes that will erode incomes further, is quite simply an unacceptable way to treat these loyal workers.”
A Bosch Rexroth spokesperson said: “We continue to work with the employee representatives and Unite to reach a resolution for all.
“The strike action comes despite the continued negotiation between Unite and the company.
“We will continue to work on a solution to reach an agreement that is acceptable to our associates, whilst seeking to: ensure the continued viability of the business and meet our commitment to our customers.
“We hope you can understand that we are unable to comment further whilst negotiations are ongoing.”
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