Workers voted to back the changes at the Llanelli car plant

Nearly 1,000 staff at Calsonic Kansei were balloted on the move.

It will see changes to working patterns and shift premiums and a 3% salary cut for senior managers.

Unions said it secured the plant's short-term future while Calsonic said the changes were 'regrettable' but 'essential'.

There were job losses at the plant earlier in the year as part of an efficiency drive.

Obviously the union aren't happy that their members had to take a cut in conditions to safeguard the plant T&G

Calsonic Kansei, along with several other car component makers in the Llanelli and Cardiff areas, were hit following the collapse of MG Rover.

The company, which posted a loss in 2004 and had since implemented a recovery plan, also blamed competition from Eastern Europe.

Cost base

Calsonic president David Pallas said: "The company is under huge pressure to remain competitive against Eastern European competition.

"Every aspect of our business has been studied to look at ways of reducing our cost base.

"The changes to employee terms and conditions are regrettable but essential for us to survive in this industry."

He said pay and conditions at Calsonic remained competitive compared with similar firms in south Wales and other Calsonic plants in Europe.

Employees rejected initial proposals put to them in autumn but the majority back the modified changes on Thursday evening.

A spokesman for the Transport and General Workers Union said: "Obviously the union aren't happy that their members had to take a cut in conditions to safeguard the plant."