Workers set to strike at Trelleborg factories in UK

London – Workers at Trelleborg AB plants in the UK towns of Tewkesbury and Bridgewater are set to go on a three-day strike, the Unite trade union has announced.

More than 200 Trelleborg workers will take part in the industrial action, which is in protest over "real-term pay cuts", said a 24 April statement from Unite.

The move follows the rejection of a 5.2% pay rise, said the union, claiming that this equated to an 8.3% pay-cut given a backdrop of 13.5% inflation.

Unite expects the strike action to disrupt the supply-chains of a range of multinational clients.

The two factories supply seals to aerospace, auto, medical, food and energy firms, the statement pointed out.

Key customers for these parts include Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Airbus, the UK ministry of defence and Carl Zeiss, according to Unite.

“Trelleborg is making big profits yet is demanding its workers swallow a substantial real terms pay cut,” said Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary.

“All our members are demanding is a decent wage rise, which the employer can undoubtedly afford to pay,” she added.

The first round of strikes will take place from 2-5 May, with industrial action set to intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

In a statement provided to ERJ, a spokesperson for Trelleborg Sealing Solutions the company was aware of the industrial action by workers "in relation to their pay claim."

“Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has made all UK employees a reasonable pay proposal and we will continue to engage with Unite to resolve the matter,” it added.