3M pay strike off

Strike action due to begin next month at dust mask and respirator makers 3M, based in Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, has been called off after a vastly improved pay offer was accepted by the workforce.

The workers who are members of Unite were due to strike on Tuesday, February 13 and Thursday, February 15, with an overtime ban also in place.

The dispute was a result of the workforce rejecting a 1.5 per cent pay increase for 2017.

However after Unite announced the strike action dates, 3M returned to the negotiating table and made a significantly improved pay offer. Following consultation with members the new pay offer was agreed and strike action was called off.

“Unite has consistently said that strike action could be averted through negotiations and that has proved to be the case,” said Unite regional officer Mark Sanderson.

“The significantly improved pay offer made by 3M will begin to redress the issue of pay rates being eroded at the company,” he added. “The fact that strike action will not go ahead will mean that 3M’s dedicated workforce will now be able to concentrate on manufacturing a world class product.”