Workers at SeAH Wind’s monopile manufacturing facility in Teesside have voted to take strike action later this year, following the rejection of a pay offer that the GMB union says falls below inflation.
According to the union, 96.49% of members who took part in the ballot voted in favour of industrial action, with a turnout of 80.42%. The strike is expected to begin in autumn and could disrupt production of monopiles for UK offshore wind projects, GMB said.
The dispute comes in the wake of a union recognition campaign, which the union said was supported by 81% of the workforce.
“Workers have won the right to union recognition and are now demanding a fair wage for a fair day’s work,” said GMB organiser Andrew Blunt. “The ballot results show that our members are clear – unless the employer gets back into serious talks our members will have no choice but to take strike action.”
SeAH Wind, a subsidiary of South Korea’s SeAH Steel Holdings, is constructing what is set to be the world’s largest monopile factory at the Teesworks site in northeast England. The facility is intended to supply foundation components for the UK’s expanding offshore wind sector.
