Hundreds of staff at a major North Yorkshire manufacturing business are expected to continue strike action in a months-long dispute over pay.
The long-running strike action by staff at Scarborough’s Alexander Dennis will see 400 workers walk out for almost two weeks this month as the dispute intensifies.
Workers have been striking since June over pay, and this week Unite members rejected a two-year pay offer from the company because the second year “would have left workers facing a significant real terms pay cut if inflation increases”, according to union officials.
Unite said that between August 2021 and May 2026, the Retail Prices Index (RPI) rose by approximately 35.1 per cent and, factoring in pay rises increases to date, the wages of workers had fallen 19.8 per cent behind the cost of living.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “With its latest offer, Alexander Dennis is trying to give with one hand and take away with the other. This is unacceptable. Unite is backing these workers all the way in their fight for a fair pay deal.”
Earlier this month, Alexander Dennis secured a £57 million contract to supply Liverpool City Region Combined Authority with at least 207 new low and zero-emission buses. Under the contract, the number of buses could increase to 357 with a total investment of £95 million.
A spokesperson for the company told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it did not anticipate that the strike action would impact the delivery dates required by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Fresh strike action will take place on September 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30 and “industrial action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved,” Unite warned.
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A spokesperson for Alexander Dennis said: “At a time when vehicle manufacturers in the UK and Europe are having to make difficult decisions in the face of intense international competition, we are disappointed that Unite continues to reject an offer that provides an above-inflation pay increase, supports the long-term competitiveness of the Scarborough site and protects skilled manufacturing jobs.
“We continue to engage constructively with our team members and their representatives to bring this matter to a resolution.”
Unite regional officer Dan Stephens said: “Alexander Dennis’ workforce is quite clear that these strikes will not end until an acceptable deal is offered. This obviously puts the timely delivery of the 207 new buses for the Liverpool region in jeopardy.
“This dispute can end tomorrow, but only if Alexander Dennis tables a deal its workers can agree to.”
The Alexander Dennis spokesperson added: “Unite’s suggestion that the Liverpool order is already facing delays is simply wrong.
“Sufficient lead times have been built into the contract, and the industrial action announced by the union at this stage is not expected to impact delivery dates.”
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