CREWE Works employees given 90 days to boost efficiency or face the sack have hit out after discovering agency staff drafted in are paid higher wages.
Workers say morale at the Bombardier-owned rail maintenance plant in West Street has never been so low after they were given the 90-day ultimatum to stave off closure.
But now they have described it as a 'kick in the teeth' after it was revealed agency staff brought into the factory after the deadline are issued more take-home cash each week.
One worker, who asked not to be named, said: 'I have worked here since leaving school 20 years ago but have never seen morale so low.
'The latest kick in the teeth for the loyal workforce was to find out that agency staff are being paid at least £60 a week more than permanent staff.'
The workers have been drafted in to help the plant's 1,100 staff complete the 90-day improvement program needed to make the plant economically viable.
Bombardier bosses issued the ultimatum to workers in June, warning if they failed to drastically improve efficiency the plant would be shut.
But the works' Amicus union convener Mick Roberts said staff, already under pressure to improve, are understandably dejected after learning of the pay differential.
He told the Chronicle yesterday: 'It's always a cliché to say morale is at rock bottom but I can honestly say it has never been as low as it is now.
'The company is telling us that the pay difference is not a direct comparison because the agency staff don't receive holiday pay or health insurance.
'But that doesn't take away from the fact that we have people working on the floor alongside agency lads who are receiving more money.'
Mr Roberts said the union was forced to call a meeting on Monday to reassure workers the agency deals had not been done 'with their agreement'.
And he has also invited a senior representative to come to the plant today to discuss the issue with staff.
But he stressed the workers should take solace in the fact the company was employing agency staff in a desperate bid to fulfil its contracts and maintain customers for the future.
He said: 'We have to focus on the fact we have a workload, and focus on delivering what the company requires to our customers.'
He added: 'I am hopeful about the future of the plant. Things are improving and I hope we can get to a situation where we are working efficiently and morale will lift.'
Bombardier spokeswoman Heidi Lee said the agency staff receive more money because they are not getting holiday pay, sick pay or pensions.
She said: 'The difference is they have to sort all that for themselves whereas our staff get the benefits including health insurance.'
She added: 'I would like to say that while it's too early to talk about the future of the plant, we have already seen improvements in Crewe.'
