Toyota freezes UK staff pay

LONDON, FEB 18
Toyota Motor Corp is freezing pay and management bonuses at its UK car-making operations in 2009, the company said on Wednesday, as carmakers grapple with a sharp downturn in global demand.
The Japanese auto maker said Toyota Manufacturing UK would also introduce a voluntary severance programme for staff at its two British plants, one near Derby in central England and the other in Deeside in north Wales.
It said it was considering introducing a shorter working week  for less pay or temporarily suspending staff, although it had not made a decision and was continuing talks with trade unions.