‘Totally unacceptable’ pay offer

Workers at leading pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing company, Recipharm HC Limited in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire are staging a series of three 49-hour strikes in February in a row over a ‘paltry’ pay offer.

The 29 craft and hourly paid workers, who are members of Unite have voted unanimously by 100 per cent for strike action following a breakdown in talks over the company’s refusal to agree a pay increase acceptable to staff on top of the current pay offer of two per cent.

A series of three 49-hour stoppages are planned to take place from 6am on Tuesday, February 12 until 7am on Thursday, February 14, as well as the same times on Tuesday, February 19 to Thursday, February 21 and again on Tuesday, February 26 until Thursday, February 28 .

“Industrial relations have been strained recently and our members have been left frustrated and angry following the breakdown in pay talks with the company,” said Unite regional officer Andrew Johnson.

“Despite Unite’s commitment to carry on with negotiations, the company representative stated that there would be no increase on the two per cent offer, take it or leave it.

“This is totally unacceptable as our members work hard and have played a pivotal part in this profitable company’s continued success and fully deserve a pay award in line with the cost of living.

“Unite is warning Recipharm that any industrial action is likely to result in the potential loss in production of inhalation products such as metered dose inhalers (MDI), dry powder inhalers (DPI) and nasal sprays.

“This is at a key time when the company are trying to build up stocks in anticipation of the sites annual shutdown period from March 6 until April 20.

“It’s time for Recipharm management to return to the negotiation table and enter meaningful talks to ensure that our members get the pay rise they deserve.”