Carmaker Toyota says that staff at its UK factories will have their pay and working hours cut by 10%.
Carmaker Toyota says that staff at its UK factories will have their pay and working hours cut by 10%.
The cuts will take effect on 1 April and will last for one year. They affect 4,500 staff at plants in Burnaston, Derby, and Deeside, Flintshire.
The cuts will take effect on 1 April and will last for one year. They affect 4,500 staff at plants in Burnaston, Derby, and Deeside, Flintshire.
Toyota said the measures would allow the company to "maintain employment in this difficult period".
Toyota said the measures would allow the company to "maintain employment in this difficult period".
The cuts come as motor industry representatives meet in London to discuss a £2.3bn support package
The cuts come as motor industry representatives meet in London to discuss a £2.3bn support package
Carmakers and suppliers have yet to receive any funds from the Automotive Assistance Programme, which was announced in January.
Carmakers and suppliers have yet to receive any funds from the Automotive Assistance Programme, which was announced in January.
The scheme has now been approved by the European Commission and industry figures are due to find out how to apply for loans or guarantees.
The scheme has now been approved by the European Commission and industry figures are due to find out how to apply for loans or guarantees.
The funds are linked to helping firms become greener, more innovative and productive.
The funds are linked to helping firms become greener, more innovative and productive.
Cutbacks
Cutbacks
The Unite union said that the cuts would give Toyota workers a measure of stability although it said any decision to cut wages and working should not be taken lightly.
"The agreement we have reached with Toyota will ensure none of our members' benefits are eroded and that these skilled workers will remain in place and at work ready for when the upturn comes," said Unite representative Peter Tsouvallaris.
Carmakers have been forced to announce cost-cutting measures, including reducing production, freezing pay and stockpiling thousands of vehicles, in the face of a sales slump across Europe.
Carmakers have been forced to announce cost-cutting measures, including reducing production, freezing pay and stockpiling thousands of vehicles, in the face of a sales slump across Europe.
UK CAR INDUSTRY CUTS 1: Aston Martin (Gaydon) 600 jobs lost, three-day week2: Bentley (Crewe) Three-day week introduced. 220 jobs lost, seven-week closure from March3: Ford (Essex, Daventry, Merseyside, Bridgend & Southampton) 850 jobs lost, four-day weeks, non-production days4: GM Vauxhall (Ellesmere Port & Luton) Extended Christmas closure. 40-day shutdown5: Honda (Swindon) Production halted until June6: Jaguar Land Rover (Solihull & Halewood) 1,050 jobs lost plus production cuts. One year pay freeze and four-day week. 7: BMW Mini (Swindon & Cowley) 850 jobs lost. Two-week shutdown planned for August8: Nissan (Sunderland) 1,200 jobs lost, some shifts stopped9: Rolls-Royce (West Sussex) 40 jobs lost plus non-production days10: Toyota (Burnaston & Deeside) Two-week shutdown. Pay and working hours cut by 10%11: LDV (Birmingham) 95 jobs lost, production suspended since December Source: SMMT & BBC
UK CAR INDUSTRY CUTS 1: Aston Martin (Gaydon) 600 jobs lost, three-day week2: Bentley (Crewe) Three-day week introduced. 220 jobs lost, seven-week closure from March3: Ford (Essex, Daventry, Merseyside, Bridgend & Southampton) 850 jobs lost, four-day weeks, non-production days4: GM Vauxhall (Ellesmere Port & Luton) Extended Christmas closure. 40-day shutdown5: Honda (Swindon) Production halted until June6: Jaguar Land Rover (Solihull & Halewood) 1,050 jobs lost plus production cuts. One year pay freeze and four-day week. 7: BMW Mini (Swindon & Cowley) 850 jobs lost. Two-week shutdown planned for August8: Nissan (Sunderland) 1,200 jobs lost, some shifts stopped9: Rolls-Royce (West Sussex) 40 jobs lost plus non-production days10: Toyota (Burnaston & Deeside) Two-week shutdown. Pay and working hours cut by 10%11: LDV (Birmingham) 95 jobs lost, production suspended since December Source: SMMT & BBC
More than 3,000 UK redundancies have been announced in recent months, with parts suppliers also hit hard.
More than 3,000 UK redundancies have been announced in recent months, with parts suppliers also hit hard.
Redundancies?
Toyota employs 3,900 workers at Burnaston, where the Avensis and Auris are made, and 570 at Deeside.
Toyota employs 3,900 workers at Burnaston, where the Avensis and Auris are made, and 570 at Deeside.
It has already cut 200 temporary jobs and opened a voluntary redundancy scheme last week.
Toyota has already suspended a night shift on its Auris production line and will shut production for a total of four weeks in 2009.
Those who are eligible can apply for a quotation to see how much of a pay-off they would receive.
It has already cut 200 temporary jobs and opened a voluntary redundancy scheme last week but has insisted big layoffs would not be necessary.
The company said the scheme, which it calls "voluntary release", was requested by its employee representatives, and it has no target for how many people are expected to leave.
"We have in no region in the world, in no manufacturing plant, made any large scale forced redundancies," Graham Smith, senior vice president, Toyota Motor Europe told BBC News in a recent interview, insisting that the company is fiercely protective of its skilled workforce.
Annual pay increases and management bonuses have been scrapped.
"That has tremendous value for a company like Toyota," he added. "We have to be ready when the upturn comes."
Annual pay increases and management bonuses have also been scrapped.
Toyota has already said it will post the first group-wide annual operating loss - totalling more than £3bn - in its 70-year history.
Toyota has already said it will post the first group-wide annual operating loss - totalling more than £3bn - in its 70-year history.
Support needed
Tony Woodley, joint leader of the Unite union, said the London talks would bring vital stability to the sector.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson is hosting the talks, which will help car companies apply for the EU-backed £2.3bn support package.
Mr Woodley said: "We know the government have some good ideas about how to support manufacturing and the car industry through this recession.
"Our concern has been to ensure that we get this support, which is desperately needed right through the supply chain, out as fast as is humanly possible."
Do you work for Toyota? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below?
Do you work for Toyota? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below?
