WORKERS at a Wrexham plant which supplies the health care sector are set for more strike action over pay.
Last week, workers at Ceramtec, in Ruabon, went on strike for four days amid what Unite the union describes as a "measly" 79 pence increase to their basic hourly rate.
The union said: "Considering the National Living Wage has increased by £1.02, workers at the factory expect to match or improve on that increase."
Following the strike action, Jono Davies, regional officer at Unite, said more strike days are planned next week.
"There will be more industrial action on June 12, 13 and 14 as Ceramtec isn't listening to us," he said.
"There has been little dialogue and the company is burying its head in the sand. If those in charge think this is going to go away, it won't."
Our @unitetheunion members at CeramTec are out on strike, fighting for a fair pay rise.
— UniteWales (@UniteWales) May 30, 2024
Our message is clear, the workers have our full support in their dispute and we call on CeramTec to do the right thing and return to negotiations with an improved offer. #JobsPayConditions pic.twitter.com/NYttbuStst
Ceramtec produces high-tech ceramics for use in healthcare, safety components within the automotive and manufacturing industry. This includes items such as replacement hips and safety transducers but also advanced ceramic components for medical applications.
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A typical grade C, day worker, who is responsible for manufacturing ceramic medical equipment such as sensors and transducers currently earns £11.44 per hour.
"This is a highly skilled workforce and they deserve so much better," Mr Davies said.
"This is going to hit the sectors that Ceramtec supplies hard, but we are determined to get a better pay offer for our members.
"We are appealing to the company to sit down at the table with us and get this dispute resolved as quickly as possible by making our members a decent offer."
Ceramtec's UK operations director, Paul Jones, said: “We have a strong interest in being an employer of choice in the local area, offering fair conditions to all our team members.
"Our regional pay plan needs to reflect a level of parity that allows for an undisturbed business climate, while at the same time enabling the company to remain competitive in a global environment.”
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