Honeywell workers in County Durham and Lancashire to vote on strike over pension concerns
Potential strikes could affect chemical supply to major companies
Chemicals workers in County Durham and Lancashire employed by Honeywell are being balloted for strike action due to concerns over pension reductions.
Around 320 workers at Honeywell sites in Billingham and Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham, as well as in Clitheroe in Lancashire, are voting on strikes following cuts to their pension schemes.
According to Unite, the UK's leading union, employees were assured of a 'broadly comparable' pension plan when Honeywell acquired their former employer, Johnson Matthey Catalyst Technologies, in July.
However, workers are expected to experience a nine per cent drop in employer pension contributions and reduced death in service cover with Honeywell.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham expressed strong opposition, saying:
“These workers were lied to, plain and simple. Honeywell is massively wealthy, retaining pension contributions at their original level will make no difference to the company. Unite will not tolerate these pension attacks – Honeywell’s UK workforce has their union’s total and unflinching backing.”
H2 - Potential impact on major chemical supplies
The employees involved in the dispute include chemical, mechanical, and electrical engineers, chemical process operators, scientists, and analysts who produce catalysts for various industries.
If strikes occur, shortages of vital chemical products for companies such as BP, Shell, thyssenkrupp, and DG Fuels are expected.
The ballot of workers will continue until 2nd September.
Unite regional officer Richard O’Brien highlighted the seriousness of the situation, commenting:
“Honeywell’s clients will not be happy that it has been running its UK catalyst operations for less than two months and they are already facing major product shortages because it is going after workers’ hard earned pension contributions. There is still time to avoid industrial action but that will require halting the pension attacks.”