The unfair distribution of bonuses at a plumbing equipment manufacturer in South Yorkshire hovers over a ballot for strike action over pay.

Unite, the largest union in the UK and Ireland, said that its more than 200 members at Pegler Yorkshire Group Ltd were furious that the production workforce were denied the bonuses, while managerial staff scooped up the bonuses, believed to be worth hundreds of pounds a year.

The dispute covers Pegler Limited (Doncaster), Pegler Yorkshire Group Limited (Doncaster) and Yorkshire Fittings Distribution Ltd (Rotherham).

The ballot for strike action and/or industrial action short of a strike opens today (Thursday 29 November). It closes on Thursday 13 December.

In the last four years the managerial grades have received bonuses of five, seven, four and two per cent, as well as receiving the same annual pay rise as production staff.

Unite regional officer Harriet Eisner said: “The production workers who actually make the plumbing equipment don’t receive the same bonuses as they are tied into the pay award.

“However, the managerial grades have notched up bonuses over the years that we estimate run into several thousand pounds, as well as receiving the annual pay rise.

“Our members have rejected a three per cent pay offer for the year from May 2018 and are now balloting for industrial action, including strikes.

“Simmering in the background is the glaring and long-running inequality in the award of bonuses, which is arcane in the year 2018.

“There is still time for the management to get around the table for constructive talks over the rejected pay offer.”

The South Yorkshire firm is part of the highly profitable Dutch-owned Aalberts Industries.

The managerial pay year runs from January to January with the bonus being paid in March. Production workers’ pay year is May to May.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on: 020 3371 2065

  • Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.