Tyre workers back strike action

Workers at Pirelli Tyres at two plants in England have voted in favour of industrial action in a pay dispute.

The Transport and General Workers' Union (T&G) said more than 900 workers were balloted after rejecting the company's final pay offer of 2.2%.

Union shop stewards will be meeting later this week to decide what action to take at plants in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, and in Carlisle.

Amicus represents a further 200 workers and has yet to ballot its members.

T&G BALLOT DETAILS 482 members (66.4%) vote in favour of industrial action, with 244 (33.6%) against 569 (78.2%) vote in favour of action short of a strike, with 159 (21.8%) against Turnout of 730 members (78.2%)

The T&G said industrial action could "seriously disrupt" the production of Pirelli Tyres.

Peter Booth, T&G national organiser for manufacturing, said: "The overwhelming vote in favour of industrial action shows the strength of feeling against the company's 2.2% final pay offer.

"Pirelli Tyres is one of the most profitable parts of the group, and our members clearly feel that a below inflation pay offer does not reflect their expectations, particularly with rising prices of energy.

"We now have a strong mandate for action and the stewards will meet this week to determine the nature of that action. We have today informed the company of the ballot result and urge them to reconsider."