Business Secretary has urged and unions to resolve a 鈥 or risk a 鈥榯ragic鈥 strike which could do 鈥榮erious harm鈥 to the Midlands鈥 biggest manufacturer.
On a visit to the Jaguar plant at Castle Bromwich, the Minister called on bosses and unions to agree a deal to avert a stoppage which could damage the company鈥檚 reputation. Mr Cable spoke out as thousands of workers throughout JLR prepared to vote in a ballot recommended for .
Shop stewards have called on workers to reject a deal worth around 14 per cent over three years amid fears that pensions will be cut to help pay for the rises.
Dr Cable, who was at Castle Bromwich to launch JLR鈥檚 new 拢250,000 cutting-edge Education Business Partnership Centre, said: 鈥淭he pay issue is a matter for the company and the union to sort out themselves.
鈥淚 do not get involved in pay disputes.
鈥淏ut what I would say is that I think it would be tragic if this finished up as a strike. This company and this industry is doing extremely well.
鈥淧art of this is based on the confidence of companies. If that reputation were lost, it would do serious harm. It is very, very important that we do not finish up with a strike. It would send out a very bad signal.鈥
JLR chief executive Ralf Speth has written to workers urging them to accept the three-year deal, worth 7.7 per cent in the first year alone.
Dr Cable said JLR鈥檚 new Education Business Partnership Centre was a key development, with Britain needing more than two million more engineers over the next eight years.
鈥淭he next generation of engineers are fundamental to driving growth in the automotive industry. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 delighted to open JLR鈥檚 innovative education centre during Tomorrow鈥檚 Engineers Week.
鈥淭he centre will be at the heart of Jaguar Land Rover鈥檚 investment in training our future car creators and makers, and will give young people the chance to fulfil their potential in a world-leading manufacturing environment.鈥
