Strike action avoided as Tetley workers accept new pay deal
Strike action by union members at the Tetley tea factory has been avoided after workers accepted a new pay deal.
Almost 200 GMB members at Tata Consumer Products Limited, in Teesside – the only producer of Tetley tea for the UK and Canada – had voted for strike action.
However, the predominantly female workforce has now accepted a new offer of a 7% pay rise backdated to 1st April 2023.
A majority of 88% of GMB Union members at Tata had previously turned down a pay deal from the company and following a ballot on strike action in a dispute over pay, a majority of 97% of members voted for strike action.
There were fears the strike action would result in a shortage of tea, however at the time Tata claimed there would be “minimum disruption to supply”.
‘STOOD TOGETHER’
Laura Maughan, GMB organiser said that despite the accepted pay deal, there was still a “long way to go”.
“After years of real terms pay cuts, these low-paid, predominantly women workers have stood together and demanded more – and they’ve got it,” said Laura.
“This pay rise will enable them to support their families and stop relying on food banks.
“These workers should be rightly proud of themselves and Tata should be congratulated for finally listening to their workforce.
“However, there is still a long way to go as Tetley workers fight for pay justice.”
