WAGE THEFT
UKMOD supplier will strike over pay row
December 16 2021
Anna Cooper
GMB members at Somers Forge are set for strike action on the 17th of December.
The manufacturer builds components for the defence industry and is a supplier to the MOD.
Based in Halesowen, the company is currently in a row over pay. GMB says the proposal would see members lose six months of higher pay.
The strike has been announced after members rejected the latest pay deal of 4% over two years, but the company refused to backdate the award to the pay anniversary of April.
GMB says the dispute began after the previous two-year deal was withdrawn, with only the first year of the deal being honoured, which has left the employees with little trust in their employer.
Russell Farrington, GMB regional organiser said: “Nobody expects that you agree a new rate, but then only get if for half the time.
“No-one wants to go out on strike in the middle of winter, but at the end of the day, we’re talking about a significant amount of money that the company is trying to withhold here.
“Rather than trying to pull a fast one, the company should come back to the table and we’ll hammer this out together.”
Whilst the company have told the workforce they couldn’t afford to backdate to April, but recently they have been quoted as a ‘thriving’ company.
Somers Forge said they were unable to divulge any information in regards to the strike.
Anna Cooper
GMB members at Somers Forge are set for strike action on the 17th of December.
The manufacturer builds components for the defence industry and is a supplier to the MOD.
Based in Halesowen, the company is currently in a row over pay. GMB says the proposal would see members lose six months of higher pay.
The strike has been announced after members rejected the latest pay deal of 4% over two years, but the company refused to backdate the award to the pay anniversary of April.
GMB says the dispute began after the previous two-year deal was withdrawn, with only the first year of the deal being honoured, which has left the employees with little trust in their employer.
Russell Farrington, GMB regional organiser said: “Nobody expects that you agree a new rate, but then only get if for half the time.
“No-one wants to go out on strike in the middle of winter, but at the end of the day, we’re talking about a significant amount of money that the company is trying to withhold here.
“Rather than trying to pull a fast one, the company should come back to the table and we’ll hammer this out together.”
Whilst the company have told the workforce they couldn’t afford to backdate to April, but recently they have been quoted as a ‘thriving’ company.
Somers Forge said they were unable to divulge any information in regards to the strike.
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