Strike action involving Unite members employed at Whirlpool’s repairs warehouse in Peterborough has been called off following a vastly improved pay offer.

The 70 members of Unite, were set to walk out tomorrow (Friday 5 May) for an initial 24 hour stoppage and then to take strike action for most of the rest of May.

However following extensive negotiation Whirlpool made a significantly improved pay offer of an increase of at least 10 per cent with some workers seeing their pay increase by 18 per cent. The pay increase was also backdated to January 2023, following a ballot of members the offer was accepted and the industrial action was called off.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is a significant victory for a group of low paid workers who were prepared to come together and make a stand and ensure that their employer made a fair pay offer.

“This result is further evidence of how Unite’s total focus on jobs, pay and conditions is paying dividend for our members.”

Unite regional officer Mark Plumb said: “Unite was adamant from the outset that Whirlpool could fully afford to make a fair pay offer and through extensive negotiations a much improved offer was made and accepted by the workforce.

“This pay deal and the many others like it is exactly why workers who want to improve their wages and working lives should join Unite and get their colleagues to join too.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

Whirlpool in a spin as Peterborough warehouse workers announce extensive strikes over ‘preposterous’ wage offer

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications officer Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235 or 0203 371 2067.

Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org

Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.