Strikes planned by Slough engineering company staff

Engineering workers in Slough are set to strike in protest of ‘a decade of below-inflation pay rises.’

Members of the union Unite who work at engineering firm John Crane – which has a branch in Buckingham Avenue – are planning strikes all throughout April and early May.

The John Crane workers make mechanical engineering seals for bearings and pumps for the oil and gas industry.

Following conversations with their employer, the 40 workers based in Slough were given a final offer to increase their pay by three per cent, which they have rejected.

This follows a decade of below-inflation pay increases, Unite says – added to the additional injury of receiving no pay award during Covid, the union says, despite working through it.

Further, the workers 'had their final salary pensions taken away in 2009.'

By contrast, last year the previous CEO of John Crane ‘was awarded a 22 per cent increase’ and his severance package ‘will see him drawing a pay packet until 2026.’

John Crane has been in business for over a century and is part of Smiths Group, which had an operating profit of £526 million last year.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is a disgrace that John Crane’s loyal workforce has been subjected to a decade of below-inflation pay increases. Especially when senior management are on extremely high salaries.

“The members at John Crane have the full support of Unite during this dispute.”

Strike action will take place on April 3, 10, 17 and 22, and May 1 and 6.

Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett said: “This is the first time these workers have ever gone on strike, but after a decade of below-inflation pay rises they have said enough is enough.

“The industrial action is a direct reaction to management’s refusal to offer our members a meaningful pay increase. Strike action will inevitably cause disruption to the company’s supply chains but this is entirely of TJ Crane’s own making.”

A John Crane spokesperson said:

“We remain committed to engaging with Unite to reach a resolution.

“While we respect the right of our employees to take industrial action, we are focused on maintaining open communication and minimising any disruption to our operations and customers.

“We will continue to engage with Unite in good faith to find a constructive way forward.”