A pay dispute saw almost 150 GMB union members working at Tata Consumer Products, which makes Tetley Tea in Teesside, Middlesbrough, go on strike last Friday (4 October). Another two days of industrial action had already taken place back in September and a further strike is planned for Thursday (10 October) over what GMB has referred to as “poverty pay” – a claim Tata strongly refutes.
The union claimed that product shortages were “a distinct possibility” given that this is the only factory where Tetley is made, however, Tata stated that there was “no risk of shortage”, adding that contingency plans had been executed to enable production to continue with minimum disruption to supply.
GMB claimed that management called the police during previous industrial action due to, what it felt was, intimidating behaviour. The union said that the police took no action, but that the company was now suing them for trespass.
“These women work their fingers to the bone for this company, providing the UK with its favourite cup of tea,” said GMB Union Organiser Paul Clark. “But they’re paid a pittance and it is just not right.
“Not only that but, now bosses are trying to sue them for exercising their legal right to strike. Tata bosses need to be clear; these women will not be intimidated and will not back down until they’ve won a pay rise that allows them a decent standard of living.”
A Tata spokesperson said:
“Whilst supportive of Union members’ rights to protest and strike in a peaceful and lawful way, we remain disappointed by the reluctance of the GMB to present the two pay award offers from us which were shared with Union representatives back in August, before they took the decision to ballot for strike action.
“These offers remain on the table, and we are continuing to urge union members to press their Union representatives to move on this and present the offers to them. Doing so will allow them to decide through ballot on the best course of action for themselves.
“Tata Consumer Products believes both offers presented to be fair and reasonable.
“We have always taken pride in being a good place to work and know that many of our workers value the working environment and conditions, with paid breaks in all shifts and fixed shifts providing a regular pattern for working hours.”
