Unite, the UK’s leading union, confirm that it has served notice on a further round of stoppages to hit the Dumfries based DuPont Teijin Films (DTF) plant.
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A new round of strike action involving around 100 members of Unite covering all shifts at the plant will start today and conclude on 5 November.
The trade union has warned that unless DTF get back round the negotiating table with a ‘serious offer’ then disruption at the plant could last for months.
Unite has accused DTF management of by-passing the agreed collective bargaining procedures, and the workforce’s trade union representatives, to impose a 3.3 per cent wage offer in April. The broader rate of inflation (RPI) hit 11.4 per cent at the time of the pay offer.
DTF is a major supplier of polyester films for electrical, medical, photo, print and photovoltaic uses to UK supermarkets, as well as institutional catering for hospitals, schools and home-meals for the elderly.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “DTF has millions in the bank yet it is trying to impose a paltry 3.3 per cent offer backdated to April when inflation was three times that figure.
"More strikes at the plant are inevitable unless the company gets back round the table with a serious offer to resolve this dispute. We will fully support our DTF members in the fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.â€
The new wave of strike action follows the stoppages taking place on 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 September. A continuous overtime ban has also been in place since July.
DTF recently announced its annual accounts on 16 October indicating that profit after taxation climbed to £6.8m up from £2.6m in 2021. The company’s European manufacturing sites are based in Dumfries and Luxembourg, with its Global Innovation Centre located in Teesside.
Andy Macfarlane, Unite industrial officer, added: “DTF more than doubled their profits over the last year to £6.8m. Instead of rewarding the workforce, the company is imposing a real terms wage cut.â€
“There has been little movement by DTF in addressing issues over different rates of pay, shift allowances, and holiday entitlements among workers.
"Talks are scheduled with DTF and there is one last opportunity for management to resolve these outstanding issues. If not, strike action could last for months causing massive disruption to the plant.†■