Hereford metal firm face industrial action over pay terms

A union says a Hereford metal firm faces industrial action after offering workers a derisory real terms pay cut.

Special Metals Wiggin in Hereford which produces Nickel specialist products for the aerospace, automotive, oil and gas industries, in 2020 agreed with GMB Union that if inflation rose this year they would discuss an improvement to members wages but only to be paid in 2023.

With inflation at a massive 9 per cent, the union has put forward a substantial interim pay claim for more than 300 members at the company.

Bosses now say they are not prepared to renegotiate but have offered a one off payment of 2 per cent – amounting to a big real terms pay cut.

Workers have told GMB they are ready for industrial action and a formal ballot begins today – ending 6th May.

Matt Roberts, GMB Senior Steward, said: "This company have been very vocal and have told everyone that their budget sales are already ahead this year. They can clearly afford an increase for their hardworking staff.

"They are choosing to ignore workers and put profit before people with this derisory pay offer. Workers are rightly angry.

"Our members have had enough and now are preparing to take industrial action to make a stand and be paid what they feel they deserve."