Workers employed by Amcor Packaging in Workington, Cumbria, and Berry Norwich have accepted improved pay offers following strike action.
Around 100 Amcor employees voted to accept a 7% pay increase backdated to October 2023 and a £500 one-off payment. The deal is worth between 8% and 9%, depending on the workers’ pay grade.
Initial strike action that was scheduled to begin on 29 May was called off while the workers were balloted on the improved offer. As a result of their acceptance, all action has now been cancelled.
Meanwhile, more than 100 workers employed by Berry Norwich voted to accept a pay deal worth 5%. It also addresses the rates between grades and moves those on the lowest pay up to the next band.
The employees took part in strike action from 19 to 21 May. Any further action has been called off following their acceptance of the deal.
An Amcor spokesperson said: “We have reached a mutual agreement with our coworkers and their union representatives at our Cumbria, UK site. We would like to thank our Cumbria coworkers for remaining focused on safe working practices and providing uninterrupted service to our customers throughout the discussions.”
Sharon Graham, general secretary at trade union Unite, added: “Amcor’s workforce secured this deal by standing together in their union and refusing to back down. Well done to the Berry Norwich workers who secured this deal by standing together in their union and taking strike action. This is yet another example of how Unite’s total focus on improving jobs, pay and conditions is putting money in our members’ pockets.”
Mark Walker, regional officer at Unite, said: “Membership growth at Berry Norwich during the strike was a key factor in collectively winning the fair pay campaign, which demonstrates the power in belonging to a union.”
Berry Norwich was contacted for comment prior to publication.
