Imerys clay mine workers in Cornwall to go on strike
The Unite union says it's in a dispute over pay
Last updated 26th Jan 2024
More than four hundred staff at one of Cornwall's biggest employers are set to take industrial action over pay.
The Unite Union has accused Imerys of acting in 'bad faith' over pay for workers at their clay mines in Cornwall.
Unite claims in 2022, Imerys workforce agreed to an initial six per cent pay rise from January 2023 on the condition that negotiations with Unite on increasing the 2023 pay award would continue during the spring.
But it says the company has refused to put forward an acceptable offer and is insisting workers will only receive backpay from April 2023 rather than January 2023.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are sick and tired of Imerys acting in bad faith over pay.
“Unite will not accept attacks on pay from Imerys, which can more than afford a reasonable rise for the whole of 2023. Our members have Unite’s absolute backing for strike action and will receive the union’s full support.”
Unite regional officer Dave Smith said: “There is still time for strike action to be avoided but for that to happen, Imerys needs to put forward an offer our members can accept.”
In response, an Imerys spokesperson tells us:
“We would like to thank colleagues across the southwest for their patience and hard work at this unsettling time.
"Whilst acknowledging and respecting the results of the ballot by Unite - in which only 180 out of approx. 800 colleagues impacted actually voted for strike action - we hope to find a resolution so we can move forward and focus on returning to growth in 2024.
"Finally, we would like to clarify that we have offered an eight percent year-on-year pay increase. Six percent has already been paid from January 2023 and an additional two percent has been offered from April 2023, not six percent overall as stated by Unite"