The huge GSK factory at Barnard Castle could be hit by strike action after a landslide vote against a new pay offer.

Unite said its members at the pharmaceutical giant recorded an 86% vote in favour of industrial action in response to a “derisory” pay offer of 2.75%. The union said GSK has 48 hours to make an improved offer or strikes will be announced.

In May last year, the company reported on the success of trials for a Covid booster vaccine made with Sanofi. There were strong results from a phase 2 trial and plans to move on to a larger phase 3 trial as the drugs firms try to catch up with the competition.

Sanofi and GSK were also involved in research to see whether vaccines made by different companies can be mixed in patients.

Now Unite - whose members work as engineers, technicians, warehouse staff and fire crews - says the company's offer amounted to a “substantial” real-terms pay cut for the workforce, with RPI inflation currently at 9%.

Read more: Tributes after Barnard Castle vet, Jamie Stewart dies at the age of 34

General secretary Sharon Graham said: “Never before have our members at GSK voted for strike action – their anger is a clear response to the company’s colossal corporate greed. GSK pocketed more than £34 billion last year yet expects its workforce to swallow a pay cut in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.

“As the strength of our members’ vote shows, this is simply not acceptable. Unite members have their union’s total support in their pursuit of a fair deal.”

A spokesman for GSK disputed the 2.75% increase quoted by Unite and told The Northern Echo: "We recognise the impact inflation rates are having on people around the country and are strongly committed to supporting the skilled people who work in GSK manufacturing.

"We have offered a 4% increase to base salary, in addition to a one-off award - equivalent to around 2% of base salary - as well as an annual bonus for 2021 which paid out above-target. We are disappointed that the Unite union has taken the decision to strike, but remain committed to working with them to find a solution.”

In total, around 3,500 people are employed at the UK Pharma manufacturing sites with the total UK employee level around 13,000.

This latest ballot with Unite members ionvolved around 700 people in total.

Only last month the GMB union also threatened strike action, over what it described as 'shallow' pay talks.

In response to that dispute, GSK had said: "At GSK, we offer competitive pay packages to attract and retain the best people. Salary increases are awarded each year and are calculated based on a combination of factors including, company performance, affordability, and the external economic environment.

“Base salary is just one part of our pay packages, which also include an annual bonus and other benefits."

GMB has around 175 members exclusively based at Barnard Castle. It is understood they did not vote for strike action in their ballot.

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054