Strike action at Pilkington put on hold while staff consider new offer
Scheduled strike action at St Helens glassmaker Pilkington has been postponed, while staff vote on an improved pay offer by the company.
More than 170 staff at the plant, who are members of the Unite and GMB trade unions, had voted to stage a week-long stoppage, from August 17.
They said the company’s terms represented a five per cent pay offer.
Trade union Unite said the action will not now take place, enabling staff to consider the latest terms, but if they are rejected, further strike action will be scheduled.
Production operators, warehouse staff, engineers and technicians are involved in the action.
Unite regional officer, Richard O’Brien, said: “In sign of good faith, Unite has suspended strike action at Pilkington and will be balloting our members on the new offer.”
Pilkington, which was founded 1826, and is owned by the Japan-based Nippon Sheet Glass (NSG) Group, said its original offer was equivalent to a six per cent pay rise, a £500 one-off payment, and a business performance-related bonus of up to £1,800.
No details of the latest offer have been revealed.
A spokesperson for Pilkington UK, said: “We welcome the decision by the unions to suspend strike action to allow colleagues the opportunity to vote on our offer.”
