GMB members at AstraZeneca have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action over cuts in pension benefits.
The ballot which closed today could result in the first strikes at AstraZeneca since the company was formed in 1999. There will be a meeting of shop stewards later this week to fix dates for industrial action unless the company come back to the negotiating table with meaningful terms.
GMB, the largest union on the site, has announced that 70% of its members who voted in a ballot at Astra Zeneca have supported the call for strike action as urged by their Union. The dispute arises from the Company's proposals to, in effect, end its defined benefit (final salary) pension scheme for 2,500 staff based at Alderley Edge and Maccesfield.
Allan Black GMB National Officer said "All in all this is very encouraging, especially given the current economic climate and the fact that it is very difficult to get people motivated on the issue of pensions because some of the members are not covered by pensions."
Talks on the Company's pension proposals were held over a three months period earlier this year. The result failed to move the company at all from their original stance. As AstraZeneca is a multi-national company the GMB has enlisted the support of unions across Europe and beyond. Allan Black said "Swedish trade unions have confirmed they are fully supportive of our stance and have offered to potentially help in persuading AstraZeneca to change it's tact."
Allan Black added "This clear mandate for a strike in the midst of the current economic circumstances ought to be a wake up call to Astra Zeneca to resume negotiations with GMB. The Company need to return to the negotiating table as a matter of urgency. They have to understand that unless they take this opportunity then strike action will be the consequence.
"There will be a meeting of shop stewards later this week to fix dates for industrial action unless the company come back to the negotiating table with meaningful terms."
