Workers at a manufacturing company in Nelson are set to strike for three days in a dispute over pay, after voting for strike action.

Some workers at ELE Advanced Technologies, based at Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, are members of the Unite union.

Workers have voted overwhelmingly for strike action beginning on Wednesday, May 1, after failing to reach a pay agreement.

A spokesperson for ELE Advanced Technologies said it is "committed to finding a mutually acceptable solution".

Unite said the company has offered the workers a £1,000 pay increase (worth approximately four per cent) from May 2023 and five per cent from May 2024.

According to Unite, this amounts to a 'substantial real terms pay cut' when inflation is considered.

The strike action, in which more than 80 workers are set to take part, will begin at 6am on May 1.

Strike action will continue on May 2 and 3. Further industrial action will be announced unless the company improves its pay offer.

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is a prime example of a company manipulating financial data to try to suppress, workers’ wages and it has been caught red-handed.

"ELE Advanced Technologies can absolutely afford to pay its workers better wages.

“Unite always stands shoulder to shoulder with our members to ensure we secure better jobs, pay, and conditions for every single one of them.” 

ELE Advanced Technologies specialises in aerospace, industrial gas and commercial diesel engine sectors, and has worked with Rolls Royce and Siemens.

Unite regional officer, Ross Quinn, said: “ELE Advanced Technologies has pushed our members to the limit.

"Every single worker has been repeatedly let down by broken promises. Wages have not kept up with inflation. Moreover, investors in the company are set to see massive returns.

“Strike action will inevitably cause shortages and production disruption for ELE’s customers but this dispute is entirely of its own making.

"It has had months to resolve this dispute but has stubbornly chosen not to do so.”

A spokesperson for ELE Advanced Technologies said: “The ELE leadership team will continue to support all staff during this challenging time and remain wholly committed to them,

“We greatly appreciate the skills and dedication they bring to ELE day in and day out

“We will continue to work tirelessly with the union representatives and membership to bring the matter to a satisfactory conclusion.

“Collectively, we are extremely disappointed to have not reached an agreement but remain committed to finding a mutually acceptable solution to avoid any impact on our long-standing customer base.”