Members of Unite, the UK’s union leading union, employed at Leamington Spa based dumper truck maker Thwaites Ltd, are to be balloted for strike action in a dispute over pay.

Unite represents the workers employed at the company who have been offered a pay increase of just three per cent. This is in reality a pay cut as the retail price index (RPI) currently stands at six per cent .

Cost of living crisis

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With inflation rates rising families are facing a cost of living crisis and employers must understand that workers will not accept below inflation pay increases which are in reality a real terms pay cut.

“Unite is committed to ensuring the jobs, pay and conditions of all its members and it will fully support the workforce at Thwaites, to ensure that they receive a fair pay rise.”

Ballot to open

The ballot for strike action opens tomorrow (Tuesday 23 November) and closes on (Tuesday 7 December). If members vote for strike action then stoppages are expected to begin in early 2022.

Unite has been attempting to resolve the dispute through negotiations without success and has therefore moved to a full industrial ballot.

Loyal workforce

Unite regional officer Su Lowe said: “This is a loyal, highly skilled and dedicated workforce who are only taking strike action as a last resort.

 “The company has a very healthy order book and the ability to make a fair pay offer. A failure to do so will result in a retention crisis as workers leave for better paid jobs elsewhere.

 “Thwaites can still avoid industrial action by returning to the negotiating table and making a renewed pay offer which meets our members’ expectations.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

During the coronavirus crisis Unite is working to keep workers and the public safe, to defend jobs and to protect incomes.

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: [email protected]

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.