Aston Martin workers to strike

Staff at Aston Martin in Warwickshire have voted to go on strike in a dispute over pay. The car company was recently sold by Ford to British businessman David Richards. Members of the Transport and General Workers' Union have rejected a two-year pay deal worth up to 6.75 per cent. The package was worth 4 per cent in the first year, and inflation plus 0.5 per cent in the second year, plus a 'merit' payment of an average of 2.25 per cent. The union has 656 members at the plant. After almost two decades owned by Ford, Aston Martin made its first profit in 2005. It is estimated to have made operating profits of £40m last year.