Union warns of 'tea shortage' during strike

The GMB union says workers will walk out later this month

A union has warned of a tea shortage after Tetley Tea workers voted to go on strike.

Members of the GMB union at the Eaglescliffe factory, near Stockton-on-Tees, will take industrial action after being offered a 4.4% pay rise from parent company Tata Consumer Products, compared to the 7% they received last year.

It highlighted the experiences of one operator at the Teesside factory, who said she relied on benefits to top up her wage and was using the food bank provided by Tetley to feed her children because she "can't provide adequately".

Tata Consumer Products has been approached for comment.

More than 100 members took part in the ballot, with 79% voting in favour of a strike.

Strike action will begin later this month if the firm refuses to get back around the table for negotiations, the union said.

Paul Clark, GMB organiser, said workers wanted a "fair pay increase that helps address the rising cost of living".

"They have had to endure years of real-terms pay cuts and are sick to the back teeth of it," he added.

"To avoid a tea shortage this autumn, I would urge Tata to get back round the negotiating table with a genuine commitment to bring this dispute to an end."

Tata Consumer Products previously described the decision to take industrial action as "disappointing" and it had been in "active discussions" with unions and staff.