More than 150 workers at SeAH Wind’s monopile manufacturing facility on Teesside may begin strike action next week if negotiations over pay and shift allowances fail to reach an agreement, the GMB union said on Friday.
The union announced that a series of walkouts is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, 15 October, with further strike days planned for every Wednesday over a five-week period, should ongoing talks not result in a resolution.
Discussions are expected to take place on Tuesday with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas). GMB claims workers have rejected a 3.1% pay offer and shift allowances it says were imposed without agreement. The union argues the offer falls short of both inflation and industry standards.
“Although benchmarking has been addressed for some roles, it’s a pitiful pay deal and it’s just not right,” said Andrew Blunt, GMB organiser. “SeAH is meant to be part of the just transition to green energy. Terms and conditions need to be retained and protected to future-proof these industries – not to deskill and devalue the skills our members have.”
The company has not yet issued a public response to the union’s claims or the strike threat.
The Teesside facility, which forms part of the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing strategy, is a key project in the transition to renewable energy. Any prolonged industrial action could disrupt operations as the plant ramps up production ahead of initial customer orders.
