Cepac has responded to a press release issued by Unite The Union, dated 25th May, regarding the current negotiations relating to pay with the workforce at Cepac’s Darlington facility.
Steve Moss, Group Managing Director described the Unite press release as incorrect, unhelpful and at best misleading. Moss commented,
“I will not speculate upon Unite's motives for issuing a press release which is non-factual, full of inaccuracies and critically mis-characterises the current situation, the treatment of our workforce and the manner in which we negotiate, which is always open and in good faith. Unite seem to believe we have not been prepared to negotiate. On the contrary; our doors have always been and remain open, but Unite has refused to engage unless we agree to a 12% ‘no strings’ pay deal.”
Unite has stated that the Company is seeking to impose an 8% pay deal alongside a change to a 40 hour working week, with no mention of the compensation in place for these changes, nor indeed that the site already has 50% of its workforce on a 40 hour working week pattern. Working pattern harmonisation is critical to the future well-being of the site and its re-investment.
Moss concluded,
"The 8% pay offer is a foundation level. The majority of the workforce will receive between 15.2% and 17.5% upon the agreement to change working patterns, with the base rate increase of 8% being backdated to 1st January 2023, if the current offer is accepted by employees and their representatives. It is very disappointing that Unite is issuing such inflammatory and inaccurate communications when a ballot has not even been conducted yet.”