Strike action, which had been been due to start in two days time at a UK fertiliser factory has now been averted as agreement has been reached for a pay rise for employees.
The strikes by Billingham workers employed by Hargreaves Industrial Services at CF Fertiliser’s plant have been called off after trade union, Unite, secured an improved pay offer.
The majority of workers, who pack and load ammonium nitrate produced at the County Durham site, will see their pay increase from £11.55 to £14 an hour – a rise of 21.2%.
Higher paid roles will also receive substantial pay rises and all workers will see their shift allowance increase by 75%, according to the trade union.
Pay rise for UK fertiliser factory workers
The new rates will be back paid from April 2024 and workers with five years continuous service will gain two days extra annual leave.
Unite had previously stated that the company had a turnover of £59 million and made pre-tax profits of £2.9 million in the year ending May 2023.
CF Fertiliser had a turnover of £252 million in the year ending December 2023 and made operating profits of £30 million, according to the union.
According to the company, the Billingham complex has capacity for approximately one million tonnes of nitrogen (N) products for agricultural and industrial use yearly.
There are approximately 145 permanent employees at the facility.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Hargreaves’ Billingham workforce achieved a fantastic deal by standing together in their union. They know that Unite does what it says on the trade union tin: Win better jobs, pay and conditions for our members.”
The deal, struck during the first set of negotiations since Unite signed a recognition deal with Hargreaves in June 2023, was secured without the need for industrial action.
Strikes scheduled from September 12-20 have now been called off.
Unite regional officer Neil Howells said: “Congratulations to Unite’s workplace reps at Hargreaves who worked incredibly hard to secure this deal for their members’ at the plant.
“Unite is always there to support workers who want to organise for better wages and to improve working lives.”
