Brooklands, Bromley and Croydon workers walkout over real terms pay cuts

Mechanics at Hedin Mercedes-Benz dealerships will strike in June and July over pay, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The mechanics, responsible for Mercedes repairs, MOTs and servicing across the capital, voted for industrial action over the company’s refusal to put forward a pay offer for 2025.

Last year, the workers received a two per cent pay rise, while the average rate of RPI inflation for 2024 was 3.6 per cent. Meanwhile, RPI inflation for April 2025 was 4.5 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hedin’s workers will not accept yet another real terms pay cut and neither will Unite. They have Unite’s total support in taking strike action for as long as it takes for an acceptable offer to be put forward.”

The workers will strike on 23, 25, 27 and 30 June and 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11 July. Further dates will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.  

The industrial action will impact Hedin customers requiring repairs, servicing and MOTs across its sites in Brooklands, Bromley and Croydon.

Unite regional officer Lui D’Cunha said: "Mercedes Benz won’t welcome its name being linked to a dispute over real-terms pay cuts for workers in one of the priciest cities on the planet amid a cost-of-living squeeze.

“Their customers won’t be happy either, as they now face delays getting their vehicles serviced, repaired or MOTed. Industrial action can still be avoided, but that depends on Hedin coming back with a fair pay offer."

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.