Engineers and maintenance workers at St Helens glass giant NGF have announced plans to strike after being "treated as second class employees".
Unite and GMB Union members employed at the St Helens site will stage two 48-hour strikes next month, starting July 2 and July 14 - and have vowed further strikes if the pay dispute is not resolved.
It comes after workers were offered a 5.65% pay rise plus an £800 bonus, which is lower than offers received by their colleagues at nearby sites.
READ MORE: 70 incredible photos that capture life in Liverpool in the 1970s
Workers employed at NGF's sister company Pilkingtons UK received pay rises of 7.5%, and 6.75% plus £750.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are rightly angry they are being treated as second class employees compared to their colleagues at nearby Pilkingtons. Unite is now completely focused on protecting and improving our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and these workers will receive their union’s total support.”
NGF Europe produce glass chord which is primarily used in the manufacture of tyres, rubber and thermoplastic products across many sectors. The industrial action will primarily impact the manufacture and supply of belt components across the automotive, manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Unite regional officer Richard O’Brien said: “Disruption to NGF’s clients will be entirely the fault of the company for expecting its employees to take a lesser pay deal than their colleagues at Pilkingons. NGF needs to come back with an offer our members can accept.”
Pilkingtons UK and the NSG Group, which oversees NGF, were approached for comment.
Get the top stories straight to your inbox by signing up to our what's on newsletter
