Glass workers in Yorkshire and Scotland suspend strikes, as they vote on improved pay offer
Workers at glass manufacturers, Ardagh Glass in Yorkshire and Scotland have suspended strike action, due to start today (Friday 9 August), as they consider a new improved 5.5 per cent two-year pay deal.
The improved offer came after talks in Leeds that finished in the early hours of the morning (Friday 9 August) between Unite, the country's largest union, the GMB union and the management under the auspices of the conciliation service, Acas.
The workers at the sites in Barnsley, Doncaster and Knottingley in Yorkshire and at Irvine, Ayrshire will start voting on the offer on Monday (12 August). The ballot closes on Monday 2 September.
The pay offer is three per cent between February this year and January 2014 – two per cent will be paid between February and July and the additional one per cent from 1 August. There will be a further 2.5 per cent between February 2014 and January 2015.
The package also includes a commitment to a review, facilitated by Acas, of 'committed' shift working, including a commitment to reduce the amount of committed shift working at all sites.
Ardagh Glass, a highly profitable firm which made £65 million in pre-tax profits last year, employs about 1,300 workers.
Unite deputy regional secretary for Yorkshire Tas Sangha said:
“The talks concluded in the early hours of this morning and the improved pay offer and the review of 'committed' working will now be put to a ballot of our members.
“While our members consider the company's offer, the series of strikes that were scheduled to start today and due to run until 9 September are suspended.
“Unite would like to thank Acas and its personnel for their hard work in helping to broker this package overnight.”
