Transport and General Workers’ Union members at Aston Martin in Gaydon, Warwickshire have voted to take strike action in a dispute over pay.

70% voted in favour of strike action, 76% voted in favour of action short of a strike, on a high turnout of 79%.

The two-year deal offered by the company was worth 4% in year one and inflation plus 0.5% in year year, plus a ‘merit’ payment worth an average of 2.25%. The offer was rejected, however, as there are massive pay differentials between workers doing the same job, which can be up to £2,500.

Des Quinn, T&G regional industrial organiser, said: ‘The negotiations that took place previously were very difficult, and conducted whilst the sale of the company was imminent. The agreement that was finally struck did not, in the members’ view, remove deep-seated and inherent problems with the current grading structure.

‘Whilst there are other outstanding issues that needed to be addressed, we believe they can be resolved by negotiation.’

The T&G has 656 members at Aston Martin. Amicus members are also being balloted and their result is expected next Thursday.