Crewe railway company workers strike in row over pay
Crewe railway company workers are on strike in a row over pay, with engineers, clerical staff and production operatives taking part.
On Wednesday 12 July, workers for Unipart Rail, Gresty Road, went on strike, campaigning close to Crewe Alexandra Football Club.
This strike comes after RMT members were offered a 4.75 per cent pay rise which they rejected.
So far, Unipart bosses have failed to send a representative of senior management to meet with the union.
This is the second day of strike action Unipart Rail workers have taken, following a 24-hour stoppage last week.
RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch, said: "Unipart Rail is behaving so arrogantly by not even attempting to negotiate a way through this dispute with RMT.
"Unipart workers do a vital job in Crewe and need a pay rise that reflects the continuing cost of living crisis.
"The current offer is an insult particularly when you consider the increased profits within the Unipart Group.
"Our industrial campaign will continue until our members achieve a negotiated settlement."
For the 2022 financial year, Unipart Group scored a 27.1 percent increase in profits.
A Unipart Rail spokesperson told Nub News: "Unipart Rail has worked hard to avoid strike action and we continue to engage in dialogue with the Trade Union. We will avoid any disruption to our customers.
"While around half the staff at Crewe are not union members and have not balloted for strike action, we're disappointed by the threat of industrial action.
"Employee engagement has been a fundamental part in Unipart's business across all our sites globally for many years and fair remuneration is an important part of that.
"Last year we awarded significant pay increases to colleagues at Crewe. The minimum was seven per cent, the maximum was 25 per cent and most fell between 10 per cent and 15 per cent.
"The current pay offer of 4.75% has been based on several factors but is largely driven by affordability as the rail sector continues to be under significant earnings pressure.
"We will continue to be sensitive to the inflationary pressures on our people and will continue to offer them as much support as possible.
"This includes free guidance on financial management through independent third-party advisers, who also advise on health and mental health issues.
"However, ultimately the company can only support pay claims that are affordable, and which will not result in steps such as downsizing to bring costs in line with customer demand."
READ MORE: Cheshire man charged with sexual offences involving 18-year-old woman in Crewe.
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