WORKERS at a car parts maker could strike over pay, a union has warned.

Unite says staff at Unipres, in Sunderland, could down tools over a profit share row.

However, Unipres bosses say they are “incredibly disappointed” by the threat, revealing they have offered workers a potential ten per cent increase.

They added the business already pays about 20 per cent more than similar local market rivals and issues a profit share above the standard level.

Unipres employs 1,159 people and is known in the automotive sector for making components for all models made at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, as well as Honda’s Civic and Renault’s Kadjar, Espace, Scenic and Captur.

However, Unite has accused the firm of being unfair to staff over its profit share plans, which it alleges will see the business take money out of the scheme.

Tony Murphy, Unite national officer for car manufacturing, said: “The current two-year offer on pay is in itself reasonable.

“But there is a major unfairness in that this would be a self-financing deal because the company wishes to remove money from the current profit share scheme.

“Our members are not willing to finance their own deal while the company continues to make healthy profits.”

Mr Murphy added an overtime ban is scheduled to start later this week.

However, Gary Graham, Unipres’ Sunderland managing director, said the warnings are misplaced.

He said: “We are incredibly disappointed the union has decided to pursue this course of action.

“We feel our offer of 6.1 per cent over two years, with profit share escalating that to a potential ten per cent per year, is generous and realistic.

“Just 179 Unite members voted in favour of industrial action; there is no precedent for this type of action in Unipres’ 27-year history in the UK.

“We have enjoyed a positive and constructive relationship with Unite and our review council, a colleague group we consult with on matters such as pay and terms and conditions.

“Rewarding hard work is fundamental to Unipres and over the past decade we have paid a bonus unmatched anywhere regionally.

“Our starting salary is also approximately 20 per cent higher than any other tier one supplier in the area; we are an employer that cares about our staff.

“We remain hopeful the union will suspend its decision on industrial action to continue talks.”

Unipres previously installed £13m press equipment to expand production of lightweight steel