SeAH Wind has described pay demands from the GMB union as “unaffordable and unrealistic,” following the union’s threat of strike action at the company’s monopile manufacturing facility in Teesside.
In a statement issued on Friday, the company said it was disappointed that its latest pay offer — which it described as independently benchmarked — had not been accepted by the union.
“SeAH Wind regrets that its latest offer, independently benchmarked and designed to be both fair and sustainable, has not been accepted by the GMB Union,” a company spokesperson said. “We are particularly disappointed that the union has chosen not to initiate the dispute resolution procedure outlined in the collective agreement recently signed by both parties.”
The dispute centres on GMB’s call for improved shift allowances, a 12% pay increase, and four additional paid leave days for medical and dental appointments. The union said more than 150 workers could walk out if talks fail to produce an agreement.
SeAH Wind, which is yet to deliver its first customer order, pointed to its financial position as a key reason it cannot meet the union’s demands. The company noted that it implemented a 3.1% annual pay rise in May 2025, backdated to April, and awarded discretionary bonuses of £500 or £1,000 in March, depending on service length.
“To date, we have not delivered a single customer order, and delays have significantly impacted our deliverability for the remainder of 2025,” the spokesperson said. “As a result, we are incurring substantial operating costs and do not expect to reach a sustainable cash position until late 2026.”
The Teesside facility is a key part of the UK’s offshore wind supply chain strategy, but ongoing tensions over pay and conditions could disrupt operations as the company ramps up production.
