DH's job on the line

[saramoon]

DH was told a few weeks ago that they would be having Mondays off work for 5 months. He works for Honda, don't think that needs any more explanation! Jan-March paid basic rate pay and April - May unpaid. There was a big meeting and they have been told today that in February and March there will be no work. He has been told that they don't know whether it will be paid or unpaid yet.

My question is, surely they will not be paying everyone for 2 months when there is no work. What do you think? Is it time for him to be looking for a new job? In April they have been told that it will be only day shifts instead of day and night and still only 4 days a week.

I think I'd be looking about.

the union guy on the radio just now said it would be paid, so hope that's right for you

The motor industry is on it's knees. The US and German govenrments are talking about bailing out the bigger companies in the same way they have been bailing out the banks. It is a nightmare meltdown. Everyone in 'risk' industries should be thinking about alternative work.

As for paying them while they are not working - it is not uncommon. It shows loyalty to the workforce and helps them when negotiating with unions. Also it is often far cheaper in the long run to pay staff to stay idle for a period than to lay them off and then have to train new ones from scratch.

But obviously there will only be a period of time they will be able to afford to do this for.