Print workers at Suffolk firm, CPI William Clowes, who have been given just two pay rises in the last 14 years, will take a third day of strike action on Thursday 17 January.

The workers at the Beccles company will walk-out for 24 hours on 17 January in their dispute over the company’s offer of a two year pay freeze from April 2018.

Unite, Britain’s and Ireland’s largest union, which has 75 members at the Copland Way site, said that the management had adamantly refused to hold constructive talks since the workers last took a day’s strike action on 20 December.

Unite regional officer Mark Walker said: “The management at CPI William Clowes needs to recognise the continual hard work that our loyal members put in year in, year out.

“The background to their legitimate pay grievances is that this dedicated workforce has only had two pay rises in the last 14 years.

“There was one per cent in 2017 and the previous one was about a decade ago. It is a shameful indictment of this company which is part of the profitable CPI Group UK.

“The bosses have adamantly refused to engage in a constructive dialogue with Unite since the workers took a day’s strike action just before Christmas.

“If this is antediluvian attitude to modern employment relations continues, more industrial action will definitely be on the cards.”

The workers voted by 71 per cent for strike action and by 87 per cent for industrial action short of a strike.

They have already taken two days of strike action – in November and December – and have a fourth day planned for 13 February. They are already operating an overtime ban.

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

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Web: unitetheunion.org 

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