EUROPE'S most productive plant looks likely to maintain its record of never having lost a day through strike action after reaching a compromise agreement with staff.

Nissan workers in Washington, Wearside, had planned to strike over the company's decision to move its 70-strong purchasing department to Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

The union representing affected staff, Amicus, said the strike was averted when the company pledged to find alternative employment on Wearside for as many employees as possible who did not want to make the 200-mile trip south to the company's design headquarters.

But trouble is looming amid claims the Japanese-owned company is offering meagre redundancy payouts.

Mel Barras, regional officer for Amicus, said: "The company's original stance was that if people did not go to Cranfield they would be made redundant.

"They now say they will find suitable alternative employment for those people who do not relocate. We are hoping to get as many people redeployed as possible."

A company spokesman said: "Nissan is pleased that this issue has been resolved through sensible dialogue and consultation.

"The company will continue answering questions its purchasing staff may have over the relocation."

Amicus is still at loggerheads with the firm over the redundancy package for those who cannot be redeployed.

Mr Barras said Nissan had offered the equivalent of two weeks' wages for every year of service - an average package of 26 weeks' pay-off.

He said it paled in comparison to the rest of the motor industry, with Land Rover and Jaguar offering 51 weeks, Ford offering 64 and Vauxhall with 80 weeks.

He said: "It is not even a second rate, or third rate - it is fourth rate.

"It bears no comparison to the industry whatsoever, particularly bearing in mind Nissan will be announcing in April group net profits of £2.68bn."