Ardagh Glass staff call off industrial action

Unite union members have called off a planned one-day strike, due to take place today (September 17), at Ardagh Glass’s plants in Barnsley, Doncaster and Knottingley in Yorkshire and Irvine in Ayrshire.

Unite said all industrial action had been cancelled in order to create time for a new pay deal to be considered.

After talks on Friday (September 13), the firm raised its pay offer by 0.5% to 6% paid over two years.

Tas Sangha, Unite’s deputy regional secretary, said the union would recommend members accept the proposal.

‘A better relationship with the unions’

Sangha said: “The company has signalled that it would like a better relationship with the unions and, should our members accept this improved offer, we will be working very hard to improve relations with the management and chart a positive way forward for all concerned.”

Ardagh Glass said in a statement: “We welcome the outcome of extensive discussions and thank the trade unions for working with us to outline a two-year pay proposal, which they will now recommend to their members in a ballot.

“We believe this is a sensible decision, which enables us to continue to work in partnership with our employees, having made significant investments in the longer term to maintain growth and long term employment.”

Ardagh Glass employs about 1,300 people.