Bosses need to realise the true value of its skilled workforce and pay up, says GMB Union

Workers at the giant AkzoNobel paint manufacturer in Gateshead are set to walk out in their third day of strike action on Thursday (3 July) in a dispute over pay.

More than 88 per cent of the workforce voted in favour of action following the rejection of the company’s pay offer of 4.8 per cent.

Workers at the site have endured years of real-terms pay cuts, even though the company is making huge profits.

Joyce Guthrie, GMB Organiser, said: 

“GMB members have had enough of being undervalued by their employer.

“They have endured years of below inflation pay deals.

“All our members want is a deal that reflects the skilled work they do under potentially dangerous conditions.

“The company has already had an explosion at the site, and worryingly management have now decided to bring in untrained agency workers to do these dangerous jobs.

 “It’s a serious accident waiting to happen.

 “It’s time for the company to do the right thing and get back round the negotiating table and come up with a meaningful offer so that these skilled workers can get back to work.”