More than a hundred workers gathered outside a Teesside car part supplier’s manufacturing plant this morning to strike for better pay conditions.
Unite members at TMD Friction in Hartlepool took part in strike action today (January 2) over the "low levels of pay” offered by the firm.
Organisers have said this serves as an initial wave of five days of action, beginning today and ending on January 15, and warned more dates could be announced.
Most of those striking are highly skilled metal press operators, with others taking part including other factory and production staff.
Organiser Mike Routledge said: “The members are on a 24-hour stoppage over their pay claim.
“The pay anniversary was June of last year and the best the company would offer them was 4 per cent.
“That was almost unanimously rejected by the Unite membership at TMD Friction and in a subsequent vote for industrial action, a good 95 per cent were in favour of industrial action.
“They’re not the best paid workers in Hartlepool, it’s crucial that they have enough money to survive on.
“Some of my members are telling me they’ve had to utilise foodbanks over Christmas. That’s not the best thing for the fifth richest country in the world.”
He said he had offered to negotiate with the company over the Christmas period but had been met with “total silence.”
Mr Routledge said he was joined by more than 100 members at the rally outside the site on Oakesway Industrial Estate.
He added the company have recently come under new ownership and urged them to meet Unite at the negotiating table.
A Unite spokesperson said its members are “angry” at the offer they received during a cost of living crisis.
They said: “Many are on as little as £12.88 per hour and have been offered just a four per cent pay increase.
Most read:
- ITV Vera: All of the North East locations used in series 13
- Swimmer gets into difficulty doing New Year dip in Tynemouth
- Gypsy and traveller pitches plans for Darlington Road, Elton
Grab our digital subscription for just £4 for 4 months and stay connected with local happenings. Click here
“This is in effect a real-terms pay cut, the real rate of inflation rate stood at nearly nine per cent in June when the pay rise was due.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "TMD Friction owes its workers a fair pay rise in the current economic climate – it is refusing to recognise the business can't operate without these skilled operatives.
“Unite will be giving our members its complete support in their fight for a decent pay rise."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel