The walkout by thousands of employees at the company's plant at Ryton, Coventry, will take place between 7 and 10 March.

The strike follows a stoppage last week, which is estimated to have cost Peugeot millions of pounds in lost production.

Unions confirmed that workers will strike at different times between 7 March and 10 March, and the action would cause disruption but not put a total stop to production.

We hope that Peugeot will respond to our preferred route of settling this dispute through talks Dave Osborne, T&GWU

The unions also requested a meeting with Jean Martin Folz, chairman of parent firm PSA Peugeot Citroen, to discuss the dispute.

Last week's strike and the planned strike in March is over a company two year pay offer that is below the industry norm and includes permanently increasing employee contributions to the pension scheme by 1%.

Amicus national officer Duncan Simpson said: "We are calling for a meeting with Mr Folz, because he needs to know why we are striking.

"He is the power broker in the company and can come to an agreement with us to get the company back on track."

'Sub-standard deal'

Peugeot recently announced an increase in profits of 9% in 2002 which unions say is fuelling the anger felt by members over the company's offer that gives with one hand and takes away with the other.

Derek Simpson, Amicus joint general secretary, added: "It's not acceptable that Peugeot, who have posted a large increase in profits in 2002, are seeking a sub-standard pay deal for our members.

"A pay deal that includes taking a sizeable chunk of the increase away to fund pensions that Amicus members already pay for."

Dave Osborne, Transport and General Workers' Union national secretary for the car industry, said Peugeot needs to listen to its employees.

He said: "Last week's strike received absolutely solid backing from the workforce and our members have clearly determined in a ballot what they think of Peugeot's offer.

No compromise

"The company has so far declined our offer of open negotiation. We hope that they will respond to our preferred route of settling this dispute through talks."

The company has said, despite the action, it will not be re-opening negotiations on its offer of a 7.3% pay rise over two years.

Peugeot has described the deal as "fair, reasonable, competitive and sustainable" and warned that a strike would be "seriously detrimental" to employment prospects.

About 3,500 workers are involved in the dispute.