Tyneside Safety Glass strikers celebrate stunning victory

Tyneside Safety Glass workers celebrate pay dispute victory, July 2014, photo by Elaine Brunskill

Tyneside Safety Glass workers celebrate pay dispute victory, July 2014, photo by Elaine Brunskill   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Elaine Brunskill

After three weeks of strike action TSG strikers have won a tremendous victory against tight-fisted bosses who had offered an insulting 0% pay increase.

Initially, the bosses stated that they would not talk terms while the strike continued. By relying on agency workers (illegally taken on), they seemed intent on breaking both the strike and the union.

However, as it became increasingly clear that the strike was rock solid and that the agency workers were not capable of doing the work to the normal “world class standards”, TSG bosses were then forced to backtrack and negotiate.

The vast majority of the strikers voted to accept the company offer of 2.8% backdated to 1 April this year. This will be followed by two years of inflation plus 0.1% (up to a maximum of 3%)

Also, the various rates for different shifts have been rounded up to the highest figure, and a sacked union member has been re-instated.

To maintain solidarity for three weeks of strike has been a marvellous achievement. This has been done by getting as many strikers active as possible. The strikers have attended picket lines from 5am every morning.

They’ve also attended rallies, public meetings, and went along to the picket lines of other disputes including the Fire Brigades Union.

Above all this dispute highlights that militant strike action works!

Due to ongoing costs from the strike continued donations are welcome.

For details contact: 07761421607