I am writing to you to ask why Fords have received a 5.2% pay rise, approved by GMB/UNITE unions? I was taken on as a temp with a view to a permanent contract after 12 months, subject to sickness and competence etc. The motor industry has taken a nosed

I am writing to you to ask why Fords have received a 5.2% pay rise, approved by GMB/UNITE unions?

I was taken on as a temp with a view to a permanent contract after 12 months, subject to sickness and competence etc.

The motor industry has taken a nosedive and orders have slumped in the Dagenham Diesel Centre plant, which has been ongoing since last August.

Because of this my temporary contract was extended to 15 months, saying that due to the economic state, they wouldn't issue my contract.

There were 250 union members and each meeting was told the union was going for a pay rise for the full time workers. The union never fought the company to get our contracts sorted out and I feel very let down by the union.

I still find it hard to believe that they did not fight to keep the 250 members membership going as strength in numbers is one of the unions main aims.

I fully understand the economic situation, but to give them a pay rise at the expense of mine and the other 250 jobs, is a bitter pill to swallow, as finding future employment is harder than I first envisaged since being laid off at the beginning of December.....nice xmas present.

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