Forged Solutions hits back at Unite over claims strike threat secured pay deal
Forged Solutions has hit back at Unite over claims that workers’ willingness to strike forced the company to improve a pay deal at its Darley Dale operation.
Unite said its members had secured an improved two-year agreement after rejecting an initial 3.4 per cent pay offer and backing industrial action.
But Forged Solutions has disputed the union’s account, saying negotiations had already concluded before Unite publicly claimed the threat of strike action had secured the deal.
The company said discussions with Unite and GMB were initiated by Forged Solutions and concluded on 18 September.
The dispute over what led to the agreement emerged after Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the company had improved its offer because workers were prepared to strike.
“Forged Solutions improved its offer because these workers were willing to take strike action for a fair deal,” she said.
“Their achievement shows the power of standing together as workers in Unite in action.”
But a spokesperson for Forged Solutions said Unite had “incorrectly announced” on 6 October that the terms had been reached because workers were willing to take strike action.
“The discussions, initiated by the company with GMB and with Unite, concluded on 18 September,” the spokesperson said.
“To suggest that a threat to ‘take strike action’ led to the mutually beneficial agreement in place is incorrect and does not represent the process or conclusion.”
The row centres on a revised two-year agreement covering workers at the Darley Dale manufacturing site north of Matlock.
The deal includes a 3.75 per cent pay increase backdated to April, higher weekend overtime shift premiums and a £200 lump-sum payment.
A further pay increase linked to inflation is included for 2027.
The agreement means industrial action will not now take place at the site.
Unite regional officer Anne Connor said the outcome showed the importance of collective action by workers.
“This win is another reminder that those wanting to a better deal at work should join Unite and get their colleagues to join as well,” she said.
The Darley Dale operation is a 20,000 sq m manufacturing facility specialising in forged critical rotating components for the aerospace sector.
The site produces components including discs and impellers from titanium, nickel and steel alloys and dates back to 1942.
It forms part of Forged Solutions Group, which supplies the aerospace, defence and space sectors from manufacturing operations across the UK and US.
The company has invested in the Derbyshire operation in recent years, including a £3.5m upgrade to its 5,600-tonne screw press completed in 2020.
It also has a long-term supply agreement with Rolls-Royce covering critical rotating discs for commercial and defence engine programmes, alongside an increasing share of engine shafts.
The pay agreement has now been accepted by Unite members, removing the immediate threat of industrial action.
However, the two sides remain at odds over whether the prospect of a strike was responsible for the improved terms.
