Workers at a Kilmarnock engineering firm have secured a new pay deal after going on strike.
Mahle Engine Systems staff received the 10.7 per cent pay boost after Unite the Union say a 'pay blunder' sparked industrial action at the site.
The new deal covers the 120-strong workforce and follows a two month campaign to secure pay parity.
Unite say that Mahle management failed to apply an additional increase to the entire workforce following a 3.4 per cent annual pay increase made in January 2023.
The plant makes high-quality components for motorsport engines, combustion engines and electric vehicles.
Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Unite’s members at Mahle must be congratulated for standing up for the entire workforce in order to secure pay parity. Strike action over the last couple of months has been taken in order to deliver this victory.
"A 10.7 per cent increase will be a very welcome boost to the pay packets of our members. Unite will always stand up for equal treatment in the workplace, and for better jobs, pay and conditions.”
A further seven per cent pay increase to all grades has been secured in addition to the 3.4 per cent, which will be backdated to January 2023. This brings the annual pay uplift to 10.7 per cent for all grades on the base rate in December 2022.
Unite has been locked in negotiations with Mahle for weeks in an effort to break the deadlock. Further industrial action, which was set to recommence on Monday (26 June), is now cancelled following the wage deal.
Unite industrial officer, Paul Bennett added: “The Mahle workers were absolutely determined to secure equal treatment for the whole workforce. This has been a battle which shouldn’t have taken place.
"Mahle management should have done the right and fair thing months ago by giving all the workers the same pay rise. We are pleased that this dispute is finally resolved, and the workers are now set to receive a good pay deal for this year.”
A spokesperson for Mahle Engine Systems said: "Mahle agreed with UNITE to provide an additional increase of 7 per cent, last week, to staff under the collective bargaining agreement in Mahle Engine Systems, Kilmarnock. This increase is on top of the 3.4 per cent increase for 2023, that was agreed in 2022 as part of a two year pay deal."
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