Coventry based LEVC taxi manufacturer workers to strike over pay dispute
Updated: Jun 12
Around 100 workers at the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) in Coventry are set to strike over pay, announced Unite the Union.
According to the union, the workforce rejected a proposed 3.5% pay rise, coupled with a one-off £400 payment for lower-grade employees, viewing it as a real-terms pay cut. The offer falls short given the Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation rate stood at 4.9% in January, when the increase was supposed to take effect.
Adding to their grievances, union representatives say workers have seen their wages fall by nearly 20% since 2016 due to successive below-inflation pay rises. LEVC, renowned for its electric hackney carriages, is fully owned by the China-based Geely Auto Group, which reported substantial financial gains in 2023.
The strike action will commence on 13 June, with an initial day of striking followed by an overtime ban. Further strikes are planned if the pay dispute remains unresolved, potentially causing significant disruptions to vehicle production at the Coventry site.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a company that is bringing in billions but has attacked its Coventry workers’ wages year after year. Geeley can absolutely afford to put forward a better pay offer to our members.
“Our members’ at LEVC in Coventry have their union’s complete support in striking for a fair pay rise.”
Unite regional officer Vivienne Martin said: “The company has no one to blame but itself for the disruption that will be caused to its operations through its refusal to table a fair pay deal after years of real terms wage cuts. Industrial action can still be avoided but that will require an offer that is acceptable to our members.”
An LEVC spokesperson responded: “We are disappointed that Unite members have voted in favour of industrial action following pay negotiations with LEVC. Against the context of external challenges and significant financial pressures, LEVC has made a competitive updated offer, amounting to an equivalent total of 5.9 per cent pay rise in 2024 for our operators.
“We are committed to reaching a satisfactory solution for both parties. Should industrial action take place we have put in several measures to ensure the impact, if any, upon our production schedule and ultimately our customers will be minimal.”
