Drax canteen strikes end after Unite wins 19% pay uplift
Staff at the power station near Selby have been striking for six weeks
Long running strikes by Drax canteen workers employed by BaxterStorey have ended after Unite, the UK’s leading union, secured a 19% pay uplift.
After taking six weeks of industrial action beginning in December last year, the workers secured an additional £1 per hour site bonus, on top of winning the real living wage as set by the Living Wage Foundation from January this year.
This is equivalent to a pay rise of up to 19.2% from 1 January for the predominantly female workforce.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“A huge congratulations to Drax’s canteen workers who fought hard for a fair pay rise and won. Their determination on the picket line and refusal to back down is an inspiration, particularly to other women workers. Their victory is at the core what of Unite is about: Defending and improving our members’ jobs, pay and conditions.”
Negotiations with BaxterStorey on signing an agreement recognising Unite as the workers’ union are still ongoing but moving forward constructively.
Unite workplace reps will meet with the company in October to begin their next annual pay review.
Unite rep at the Drax canteen, Diane Power, said:
"Most of us at the canteen had never really considered getting organised in a union before. But the last couple of years have been difficult for all of us because of the cost-of-living crisis. Everyone is really pleased with the pay deal and it’s such a great feeling knowing we stood up together and supported each other to achieve it.”
Unite regional officer Chris Rawlinson said:
“This well-deserved victory for Drax’s canteen workers shows that workers who organise in a union win. Those who want better wages and working conditions should join Unite and get their colleagues to join too.”
We've approached BaxterStorey for a comment.