Rolls-Royce car factory workers handed bumper pay deal to avert strikes

The Unite union said workers at the luxury car maker will see an increase worth up to 17.6% for the year.

Henry Saker-Clark
Friday 16 December 2022 12:24 GMT
Rolls-Royce has handed workers a bumper pay deal to avert strike action (Jonathan Brady/PA)
Rolls-Royce has handed workers a bumper pay deal to avert strike action (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Workers at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will receive a “record” pay rise and have called off potential strike action, the Unite union has announced.

Unite said workers at the luxury car maker will see an increase worth up to 17.6%.

Around 1,200 workers at Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex, who help make its Ghost, Wraith and Cullinan, will receive the pay increase.

More than 80% of workers at the site took part in a ballot to accept the pay deal, which will see a 10% increase alongside a £2,000 payment.

The one-year deal will represent a hike of between 14.8% and 17.6% for grades of workers represented by the union.

Agreement was reached after workers voted to take industrial action if they did not receive a pay rise in line with the cost of living.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a top notch pay deal for the Rolls-Royce workforce.

“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars are famous and iconic because of the workers’ craft and expertise.

“For years the workers had been underpaid and undervalued but that’s changing – the union has won the best pay deal since the site opened.”

A spokesman for the company said: “In the course of our normal pay negotiations process, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was pleased that Unite the Union supported and recommended a positive pay deal.

“We can confirm that a pay rise of 10% will be awarded to all those covered by our collective bargaining agreement from January 2023.

“Negotiations were cordial and constructive throughout.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in