Workers at a crane manufacturer in Derbyshire are to take industrial action as the company has refused to engage in constructive pay talks, according to Unite the union.

Unite represents about 35 production staff at Street Crane who voted unanimously for 12 days of strike action, after rejecting a 2.5 per cent pay offer for the year starting July 2018.

The first of the 24 hour stoppages is scheduled to start at 00.01 on Monday, 15 October, followed by strikes on 22 and 29 October and 05 November.

-- Advertisement --

If the dispute is not settled, four 48 hour stoppages will go ahead on 12, 19 and 26 November and 03 December, all commencing at 00:01.

Unite regional coordinating officer Shaun Lee said: "We have met with a brick wall, as the management have refused to negotiate in a constructive fashion.

"Our members have rejected the 2.5 per cent offer as they face rising household bills demonstrated by the retail price index (RPI) which is currently running at 3.5 per cent.

"The fact that our members voted by 100 per cent for strike action and that this is the first industrial action in 20 years shows the depth of anger our dedicated members feel at the hardline attitude adopted by this profitable company.

"The strikes will hit orders to the firm's customer base, which is an added incentive for the management to come to the table and negotiate a fair settlement for our members."

(CD)