Trelleborg workers in Tewkesbury and Bridgewater strike over ‘pay cut’ while firm brings in huge profits  

More than 200 Trelleborg workers in Tewkesbury and Bridgewater supplying seals to aerospace, auto, medical, food and energy firms will strike over a real terms pay cut, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today (Monday). 

The factory workers, who make seals for clients such as Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Air Bus, the Ministry of Defence and Carl Zeiss, are striking after rejecting a 5.2 per cent pay offer. With the true rate of inflation, (RPI), at 13.5 per cent this is real terms pay cut of 8.3 per cent. 

Meanwhile, Trelleborg Seal Solutions’ latest financial report shows a turnover of £96.6 million and gross profits of £28.8 million. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Trelleborg is making big profits yet is demanding its workers swallow a substantial real terms pay cut. All our members are demanding is a decent wage rise, which the employer can undoubtedly afford to pay. Unite is winning for workers and will support our members at Trelleborg to get what they deserve.”

The first round of strikes will take place from 2 to 5 May, with industrial action set to intensify if the dispute is not resolved.  

Unite regional officer Amy Roberts said: “Trelleborg’s client will not be happy at the disruption caused to their supply chains because of the company’s out and out greed. Trelleborg must return to the negotiating table with an offer our members can accept.”

ENDS 

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