GlaxoSmithKline UK Employees Vote to Strike Over Pay Rise
April 20 2022 - 1:01PM
Dow Jones News
By Cecilia Butini
Several hundred workers at GlaxoSmithKline's U.K. operations
have voted to strike in response to a company-proposed pay rise
which is considered unfavorable given the current inflation rate, a
union representing the workers said Wednesday.
The union, known as Unite, said that 86% of GlaxoSmithKline
members voted in favor of the strike, and that the decision is a
first in the company's history.
According to the union, GlaxoSmithKline's offer for a 2.75% pay
rise equals a pay cut for the workforce, given that the true rate
of inflation stands at 9%. It hailed the offer as "derisory" and
said the company now has 48 hours to make an improved offer, or the
strike will be announced.
In response, the company said it actually offered a 4% increase
in addition to a 2% one-off award and an annual bonus, and that
2.75% referred to an opening offer it made months ago.
"We are disappointed that the Unite union has taken the decision
to strike, but remain committed to working with them to find a
solution," GlaxoSmithKline said in a statement.
According to the company, about 430 workers voted for strike
action, out of 700 Unite members. Total U.K. employees number about
13,000, according to the company.
Write to Cecilia Butini at cecilia.butini@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 20, 2022 12:46 ET (16:46 GMT)
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