The Montrose plant of pharmaceutical giant GSK is to be hit by industrial action later this month as part of a long-standing pay dispute.
Sub-contractor maintenance staff will take action at the Angus facility over four weeks from November 13.
Union GMB Scotland said representatives have been in discussion for five months with senior company representatives from Wood Group after grievances were raised by staff over receiving less hourly rates of pay than a labourer on the same job, despite being tradesmen.
GMB and Wood Group were unable to reach a satisfactory outcome, Wood Group stating they have sympathy with the employee’s grievance but could not afford to address the pay inequality as there was not enough money in the GSK contract.
Strike action is scheduled to begin on Wednesday November 13 following a balloting process which returned 100% response in support of the move.
GMB Scotland organiser Gary Cook said: “Wood Group approached GSK for additional monies to address the issue but GSK refused, despite having posted record operating profits of £4.046 billion in 2018.
“We have a situation here at GSK Montrose where a labourer on the same maintenance contract earns more than a tradesman – shocking but true – and GSK, despite everything they say on ethics and equality, on their website are not prepared for the sake of a few miserly crumbs to put right this blatant unfairness.
He added: “Sadly after exhausting the consultation process we had no alternative other to ballot for industrial action, resulting in four weeks of disruption.”
The union said week one would involve a one-day stoppage, week two two days, three days on week three and then five days on the fourth week.
“Industrial action is a weapon of last resort but our members were forced into this by Wood Group and GSK who seem totally indifferent to our members claim for pay equality,” said Mr Cook.
GSK and Wood Group have yet to respond to a request for comment on the strike situation.
