FURTHER uncertainty has hit workers at the Vauxhall motors plant in Ellesmere Port after workforce hours were reduced to a four-day week.

Following talks between company bosses and unions it was agreed that workers’ hours will be reduced from 38 to 30 hours per week.

The decision was made by US parent company General Motors in a bid to cut costs, as the car industry struggles to cope with the increasing slump in car sales.

It comes also as figures released on February 5, by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, SMMT, show the numbers of new cars registered in the UK in January have slumped by almost a third year-on-year.

The Ellesmere Port factory shut down for a month over Christmas, instead of the traditional two weeks, which was also in response to a decline in sales and demand.

Spokesman for Vauxhall UK , Dennis Chick, said: The fundamental drive behind the decision to reduce to a four-day week is to avoid redundancies.

“The last thing we want to do is to lose a skilled workforce, which would be a disaster come an upturn.

“This way it means that workers will have to take a cut in pay, but they still get to keep their jobs.

“Workers will receive 30 hours normal pay and four hours base pay.

“This will be paid even if the plant has a down day when we don’t manufacture any vehicles.

“We need to balance supply against demand and we have been running down days at the plant since October.”

Vauxhall's have also offered workers the option of a sabbatical of up to nine months, on 30% pay, which has now been increased to 50% in order to encourage workers to take up the scheme by improving its terms.

“Out of 15 who applied only six have taken up the offer.” said Dennis. “We never expected a huge response, as it’s a big decision for employers to make as they have mortgages and bills to pay.

"We were hoping for younger workers who are responsibilty free, or older ones who are mortgage-free. The option is still open until September.”

Over 2,000 people employed at the Ellesmere Port plant, which produce the Astra five-door and the Astra van, will be affected by the cuts.

Unite union’s joint general secretary Tony Woodley said: “Reducing the plant’s capacity in the short term is a difficult pill to swallow for our members and that’s why we are battling with the Government at the moment to give a direct subsidy to workers for short-time working.

"The most important thing is having a longterm future and that’s my priority.”