Staff employed by pallet supplier Chep at its site in Trafford Park, Manchester have voted to accept a 9% pay rise deal, ending a long-running strike.
As well as receiving a pay increase that is higher than the current rate of inflation, and on average is worth £2,500, workers will get a £1,000 lump sum and three extra days of annual leave this year, meaning that the total package is worth around 14%.
The employees, who are members of the union Unite and have been on strike since December 2021, were in the process of being balloted to continue their industrial action into the summer.
They have called on the business to increase pay to help address the cost of living crisis and to recognise their contribution throughout the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This was a tough dispute but the workers stood their ground and won an excellent deal. The workers knew that the business could afford a fair wage so they kept up the fight and they won.”
Unite regional officer Ian McCluskey added: “Thanks to the bravery of the workers at Trafford Park the organisation has delivered a pay deal that recognises the workers’ contribution through the pandemic and addresses the cost of living crisis.”
A Chep spokesperson said that the business is pleased that its two-year pay offer has been accepted by workers at the Manchester Trafford Park site.
“As part of our annual pay review process, we have offered competitive pay and employee benefit proposals to all our employees in our UK network for the next two fiscal years. The numbers quoted by the union are an interpretation of our offer but the positive outcome is that we do have an agreement, and we thank the union for their collaboration over the last few weeks.”