Steve Score, Leicester Socialist Party
“The shareholders make millions from us, and we get bananas on a Tuesday!” said one of the striking workers on the picket line at SPS Technology in Leicester. He was referring to the fact that they regularly have fruit handed out on a Tuesday by the company.
On Friday 4 September, Unite members walked out on indefinite strike. By the second day of action the management had come up with an improved offer, which was voted on by members in a ballot that afternoon.
Sean Smith, senior shop steward, said: “We were out trying to secure a fair pay award. We had been negotiating since October 2025, but there was a lot of obstruction from the senior management.
“We got 4% for 2026, and another for 2027. But this isn’t just about money. We’re still looking for an agreement from the business to actively engage with the shop floor to address the issues that we’ve got across the site.
“And we’ve also sought agreements on protections for workers when it comes to implementation of new technology, AI and automation. We’re happy to pick up the new tools and keep making stuff with pride in the skills we have. But we would like the business to also support us.”
Sean added: “The Socialist has been a stalwart ally in the trade union movement for us here and it is always an honor to have them stand shoulder to shoulder with us.”
