HUNDREDS of workers will be completing their final shifts at Honda, over the next three months according to the union.

Jim D’Avila, from Unite the union, yesterday said that in total 360 associates will depart at the end of January, February and March after the company offered workers an improved voluntary redundancy package – the third version of the Associate Release Programme (ARP).

Mr D’Avila said the latest deal rose the equivalent of eight weeks’ pay (£3,300), on top of the previous deal, giving the average 45-year-old worker with 11-years’ service £18,703.84.

The announcement comes despite Ken Kier, head of UK operations, saying there would be “no more job losses” at the South Marston plant in 2010 – considering 1,300 were lost in 2009.

Paul Ormond, a Honda spokesman, regarding Mr Kier’s statements, said: “Talking about the state of the economy he (Ken Kier) said that he believed the situation had bottomed out and there would be no more job losses.

“I cannot see what the confusion is.”

The union added that its top negotiator, Dave Osborne, would also be called into the factory on January 20 to hold “unprecedented talks” with Honda executives.

The negotiations come after two rounds of previous talks with Unite’s local officers failed to achieve a resolution.

Mr D’Avila, regional officer, who will also be attending the meeting, said the union wanted a three per cent paycut, originally imposed to save worker’s jobs, cancelled considering the fresh round of job-cuts.

He also believes some of the money used to improve the latest ARP was gained through the cut in salary that has left workers dissatisfied .

“It’s the first time we have had a national conference with Honda,” said Mr D’Avila.

“If we didn’t have a no-strike clause with the company – this would be the last process necessary before a strike.

“If there’s no agreement as a result of this, there is still the option of going to ACAS, a Governmental agency devoted to resolving employment disputes, or an arbitrator, but we are confident there will be.”

He added: “Our case is that the three per cent pay cut should be ended now and workers should be re-paid.

“We took that cut in pay to save jobs and the company promptly turned around and cut the very jobs we were trying to save.”

Honda declined to comment further.