LONDON, July 25/PRNewswire/ -- Workers at Promens in Beccles, Suffolk, which manufactures plastic
bottles, have voted for their 3rd week of strike action, after years of below
inflation increases. The union picket line today will be joined by Steve
Hart, Unite's Regional Secretary for the London & Eastern Region (Friday 25
July at 12:00 noon).

Mr Hart said: "It can be a surprise to no one that our members have voted
overwhelmingly for industrial action, a 2.2% pay offer is truly derisory.
However, we have had a relationship with Promens going back many years and I
am sure that with goodwill we can resolve this dispute and resume full
production at the Beccles plant. But, to get a resolution the management will
have to respond to offers of talks with the union. If they don't want to talk
they need to be clear - Unite is a large union with large resources - our
members will get all the necessary support to get a satisfactory result."

Ivan Crane, Unite's local officer, added: "The company's mission
statement talks of 'imagination, courage and team spirit', qualities which
the company would seem not to be applying in this instance. Successful teams
are built on decent pay and respect - not exploitation and disdain. With
imagination and courage, I have no doubt that we can find a solution to this
dispute."

Commenting on the company's increased security measures since the
breakdown of relations with staff one worker, who preferred to remain
anonymous, said: "This company treats us with contempt. They have placed
private security guards on the gates and CCTV cameras on the picket line.
Many of us have worked here all our lives. It's an insult."

Source: Unite the Union

For further information contact Martin Scanlon on +44-207-420-8934

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Profile: labor-news