200 workers to strike over pay at structural steel business

The GMB Union says a strike at structural steel group, Severfield, will go ahead today – 26 May – after workers rejected a revised pay offer.

Workers at the company this week began industrial action in a dispute over what the union describes as a “derisory pay offer” made by management.

But Severfield – based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire – has said the offer it has made is “highly competitive” and that it is prepared to continue working with the union to resolve the dispute.

The GMB says the company had offered staff at the Thirsk site another deal, which did not meet its members expectations and fell far short of what they deserve.

It adds that it balloted union members and 97% voted to reject the new offer.

Ben Kirkham, GMB organiser, said: “Severfield PLC really needs to listen to its workforce. Our members have consistently voted time and time again to reject the company’s offers.

“With our picket lines holding strong and 97% of the staff voting to reject, it’s time the top brass understand that we won’t back down.

“Our members deserve a decent pay rise. It’s time that the directors look to their own eye-watering bonuses and realise that Severfield workers deserve a fair share.”

Severfield’s spokesman responded: “Severfield has offered a 7% increase in salary, a one-off cost of living payment of £1,250, and a new healthcare plan, for which discussions have been ongoing for several weeks.

“Severfield believes this offer is highly competitive and appropriately supports our colleagues.

“The dispute is with just over 200 employees at our Dalton Manufacturing facility, out of a total of 1,850 employees across the Group.

“We will continue to engage with the GMB to try and reach a satisfactory resolution to this dispute.”