Workers at County Durham chemicals firm Thomas Swan have voted to launch a series of 24 hour strikes in response to a pay offer.
GMB members at the Consett plant will stop work in response to a 5.1% pay increase offer - capped at £1,000 - which the union says will result in a majority getting less. The £37m turnover company, which also has operations in the US and China, says it has offered GMB representatives talks via ACAS.
The planned strikes will take place on November 30, December 7 and 14 and January 4 and 21. Thomas Swan, which employs about 178 people, says a resolution is within reach.
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Andrew Blunt, GMB Organiser, said: "GMB members have smashed the threshold for strike action with an overwhelming majority. This sends a clear message to Thomas Swan.
"The directors are doing very well out of the business, but they tell hardworking members there is no money. Thomas Swan needs to get back round the table and take a sensible approach and reward our members with an increase that will help them with the rising cost of living."
A spokesperson for Thomas Swan said: "We understand and fully appreciate the difficulties facing our employees due to the adverse economic climate in which we are currently operating. The company is aware of the results of the recent ballot and have offered to engage with GMB representatives in a collective conciliation process with ACAS.
"We believe that a resolution to the current dispute, which would be fair and reasonable for all of those involved, can be achieved through constructive dialogue."
In accounts filed earlier this year, covering the year to the end of March 2021, the firm posted operating profit of £300,000 - a decrease of £2.2m from the previous year. In a report with the accounts, Thomas Swan said its market was competitive though it remained confident of profitability.
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