Workers at leading pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing company, Recipharm HC Limited, in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, are staging a series of three 49-hour strikes next month (February) in a row over a ‘paltry’ pay offer.
The 29 craft and hourly paid workers, who are members of Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, have voted unanimously by 100 per cent for strike action following a breakdown in talks over the company’s refusal to agree a pay increase acceptable to staff above the current pay offer of two per cent.
A series of three 49-hour stoppages are planned to take place from 06:00 on Tuesday 12 February until 07:00 on Thursday 14 February, as well as the same times on Tuesday 19 February to Thursday 21 February and again on Tuesday 26 February until Thursday 28 February.
Unite regional officer Andrew Johnson said: “Industrial relations have been strained recently and our members have been left frustrated and angry following the breakdown in pay talks with the company.
“Despite Unite’s commitment to carry on with negotiations, the company representative stated that there would be no increase on the two per cent offer, take it or leave it.
“This is totally unacceptable as our members work hard and have played a pivotal part in this profitable company’s continued success and fully deserve a pay award in line with the cost of living.
“Unite is warning Recipharm that any industrial action is likely to result in the potential loss in production of inhalation products such as metered dose inhalers (MDI), dry powder inhalers (DPI) and nasal sprays.
“This is at a key time when the company are trying to build up stocks in anticipation of the sites annual shutdown period from 6 March until 20 April.
For more information please contact Andrew Johnson on 07736 643 427 and/or Unite communications officer Karen Viquerat on 0151 559 2004 or 07768 931 316. Unite press office is on 020 3371 2065.