Drivers supplying parts to Rolls Royce’s (BMW) Goodwood plant have won an inflation-beating 6.1 per cent pay rise and valuable pay protection.

 

The pay deal is significant as it comes at a time when Unite, the UK’s largest union, is fighting to end exploitation and pay suppression hidden within the supply chains of the automotive industry’s most profitable players.

 

Employed by Vantec, the workers deliver components to Rolls Royce’s prestigious Goodwood plant from the company’s warehouse in Bognor Regis. This is the workers’ first dispute after winning union recognition in 2023. Their victory follows recent disputes by logistics workers at BMW’s Oxford plant.

 

Vantec reported a turnover of around £50 million last year, but some drivers were paid significantly less than workers doing similar jobs at other BMW sites in the UK. The drivers voted overwhelmingly for strike action following the breakdown of talks, prompting a new offer from the employer.

 

Unite pointed the finger of blame directly at Rolls Royce and parent company BMW, whose profits stood at €17.1 billion for 2023.

 

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Without these drivers the world’s most expensive cars would not get made. These drivers won union recognition and now their dispute has delivered the pay rise and pay protection they deserve. 

 

“Automotive giants who profiteer from pay suppression in the logistics and component supply chains they control should heed this dispute. Those days are over. It’s time to pay up.”

 

In addition to the pay increase Unite has secured a banked hours deal of nine days credit for workers. Banked hours arrangements are common in automotive factories and supply chains, where workers get paid when factories halt work temporarily and then make it up at a later date.

 

Unite’s organising strategy for the automotive industry is confronting car giants who use contracts with third parties to fragment their supply chains and drive down costs, while maintaining full control and reaping massive profits.

 

Scott Kemp, Unite regional coordinating officer, said: “Our members at Vantec stood up for the pay rise and pay protection they deserve. They gave Vantec, Rolls Royce and BMW nowhere to hide. These drivers work exclusively to service Rolls Royce from a warehouse covered in its branding. The drivers even have to wear the Rolls Royce logo.”

“Without Vantec drivers nothing moves at Goodwood. These drivers used their collective strength to make sure the builders of some of the most expensive cars on earth cannot run their ‘House of Luxury’ on the cheap.”

 

-ENDS-

 

For media enquiries only please contact Unite senior communications advisor David Carnell on 07718 666592 or email david.carnell@unitetheunion.org