Hedin Automotive mechanics prepare to strike over pay

Mechanics at Hedin Automotive's Brooklands, Bromley and Croydon Mercedes-Benz dealerships will strike this month and in July over pay.

Unite, the union, confirmed the strike action will go ahead after staff were balloted in May.

The union said the strike is being taken over "the company's refusal to put forward a pay offer for 2025".

It said Hedin mechanics received a 2% pay rise in 2024, while the average rate of RPI inflation for 2024 was 3.6%.

Meanwhile, RPI inflation for April 2025 was 4.5%.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hedin’s workers will not accept yet another real terms pay cut and neither will Unite.

"They have Unite’s total support in taking strike action for as long as it takes for an acceptable offer to be put forward.”

The workers will strike on June 23, 25, 27 and 30 and July 2, 4, 7, 9 and 11.

Unite said further dates will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved and the action will impact Hedin customers requiring repairs, servicing and MOTs across its sites in Brooklands, Bromley and Croydon.

Unite regional officer Lui D’Cunha said: "Mercedes Benz won’t welcome its name being linked to a dispute over real-terms pay cuts for workers in one of the priciest cities on the planet amid a cost-of-living squeeze.

“Their customers won’t be happy either, as they now face delays getting their vehicles serviced, repaired or MOTed.

"Industrial action can still be avoided, but that depends on Hedin coming back with a fair pay offer."