TOYOTA is to suspend its ‘work share’ arrangements for two months at its Burnaston plant to cater for a temporary sales boost aided by UK and European car scrappage schemes.
The car giant introduced a 12-month 10 per cent cut in hours and basic pay on April 1 in a bid to cut labour costs and maximise efforts to save jobs over the long term.
However, the firm is to lift the arrangements in August and September to meet a need for increased volumes, especially for the Auris, one of two models manufactured at Burnaston.
The sales boost has been brought about partly because of UK and European car scrappage schemes, in which motorists get thousands of pounds off new vehicles in exchange for old models.
The suspension of the arrangements, which amounts to three shifts per employee, is particularly urgent because of the impending September registration plate change.
However, the work share arrangement will be reinstated in October.
Noting that the car market continued to be in ‘a volatile condition’, a spokesman said: “While this additional volume is positive news, it is viewed as short term and our overall plans for the year remains significantly less than our capacity.”