Ford workers stage lightning strike over pay dispute

Production of Fiesta cars at Ford's biggest UK plant was halted yesterday because of a lightning strike by workers over pay.

Around 60 workers at the Dagenham assembly plant in Essex staged the unofficial walkout yesterday afternoon and they were later joined by other employees.

The company said production of Fiesta cars and vans was halted because of the strike.

The sudden walkout was believed to be a reaction to a pay offer made yesterday by the company to union leaders representing all of Ford's 20,000 production workers.

The offer of a 2.75 per cent rise this year followed by another rise of 2.75 per cent next year was rejected by union negotiators who described it as an "insult".

Tony Woodley, chief negotiator for the Transport and General Workers Union, said the company had failed to answer concerns about job security.

He hoped for an improvement when the two sides meet again for further talks next month.