Tensions are brewing at TMD Friction, a major automotive brake supplier in Hartlepool, as Unite union members prepare for strike action in the new year over a pay dispute. Nearly 150 skilled metal press operators and other factory staff, representing the majority of the workforce, have voted to walk out for five days starting January 2nd, with further action potentially on the horizon.
The catalyst for the action is TMD’s underwhelming four percent pay increase offer, deemed insufficient against a backdrop of soaring inflation and cost-of-living pressures. Many workers currently earn just £12.88 per hour, making the proposed deal effectively a real-terms pay cut given inflation hitting nearly nine percent in June.
“TMD Friction owes its workers a fair pay rise,” affirmed Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. “They seem to forget that their entire operation hinges on these skilled employees. Unite will stand steadfastly with our members as they fight for a decent income.”
This strike could significantly disrupt the supply of brake pads, discs, and other vital components to garages and retail outlets across the UK. Unite regional officer Mike Routledge appealed to TMD’s new owners, stating, “We urge them to reconsider and return to the table with an offer that reflects the hard work and dedication of their workforce. Doing the right thing by these employees now can avert strike action and ensure a smoother start to the year for everyone.”
The potential impact of the strike underlines the crucial role played by TMD Friction’s manufacturing plant in the UK’s automotive supply chain. As negotiations continue, all eyes are on whether a resolution can be reached before the planned walkout, or if the new year will begin with a clash over worker pay in Hartlepool.
