A rally in support of striking workers at pallet suppliers Chep UK will be held at the Trafford Park site tomorrow (Wednesday 16 February) as bosses agree to hold pay talks in the three month-old dispute.
The workers, members of Unite the union, have been on strike since December – and recently renewed their mandate for strike action into the spring by a majority of 94 per cent – over the management’s failure to improve on their offer of two per cent, when the RPI rate of inflation is running at 7.5 per cent.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This latest vote for strike action is a robust rejection of a pitiful offer from the company which would leave workers considerably worse off. Management needs to get serious and come back with a pay rise, not a cut in living standards.
“Our Chep members have the full and solid support of their union in their fight.”
Unite regional officer Ian McCluskey said: “Our members have been on continuous strike since 17 December for a decent pay rise from an employer whose profits soared during the pandemic.
“After the workers voted by 94 per cent in a re-ballot to continue their strike into the spring, Chep has finally agreed to talks tomorrow so we want a big show of support at the rally to demonstrate the strength of our members’ determination to achieve pay justice.”
Chep UK, which is based in Trafford Park, Manchester, repairs and supplies pallets for supporting and transporting goods to a host of prominent companies including InBev, Heinz, Heineken, A&B Containers, Encric and TDS
