Workers at pallet suppliers Chep UK at Trafford Park have today (Thursday 14 April) rejected the company’s latest pay offer, which means that the five-month long strike could continue into the summer, Unite the union says.

 

Totally inadequate offer

 

Unite’s members rejected the offer, which is well below inflation, as ‘totally inadequate’, as the RPI rate of inflation soared to nine per cent.

 

The rejection followed a march to the picket line last night (Wednesday 13 April) attended by 200 of supporters. The union, which has a mandate to strike until 19 May, will now ballot members in a third ballot for further strike action beyond that date.

 

Very profitable company 

 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Chep is a very profitable company. It can easily afford to pay properly. With household bills going through the roof, management needs to get serious and come back with a pay rise, not a cut in living standards.

 

“The workforce has the full support of Unite as they prepare to vote in their fight for pay justice, which could see strikes continuing into the summer.”

 

New ballot

 

Unite’s members at Chep will be balloted from Thursday 21 April until Thursday 5 May to continue their industrial action. A yes vote will see strike action continue beyond 19 May.

 

Solidarity of members

 

Unite regional officer Ian McCluskey said: “Our members have been on continuous strike since 17 December for a decent pay rise from an employer whose profits soared during the pandemic. I would like to praise the solidarity our members have shown during their five-month strike.”

 

Chep UK, which is based in Trafford Park, Manchester, repairs and supplies pallets for supporting and transporting goods to a host of prominent companies including InBev, Heinz, Heineken, A&B Containers, Encric and TDS.

 

Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and will fight back against any efforts to diminish workers' living standards.

 

ENDS

Notes to editors:

 

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.