CabAuto picket line Photo Nick Hart
CabAuto picket line Photo Nick Hart

Nick Hart, West Midlands Socialist Party

Workers at CabAuto in Tipton took their first-ever days of strike action in the company’s history on 28 and 30 June, followed by a four-day stoppage in the week of 4 July.

The skilled workforce, members of Unite the Union, make luxury car interiors for the likes of Aston Martin, McLaren and Bentley. But there’s nothing luxurious about the pitiful 3% pay increase being offered to workers on £9.90 an hour.

Meanwhile, parent company Adler Pelzer made profits of £118 million in 2020.

In spite of management intimidation, including threats of sackings, dozens showed up on the gates, day after day, to show they won’t stand for low pay and a bullying culture. As one worker put it: “We’ve had enough. They’ll be sorry they ever took us on!”