Brick strike is suspended

A series of one-day strikes at Britain's biggest brick manufacturer has been suspended following a last-minute revised pay offer from the company.

Unions are recommending that their members accept the new offer from Hanson Brick. This provides for a 27-month settlement. It gives a pay increase of 4% over the first 15 months. And there is a further increase set at the rate of inflation plus 0.5% or 3%, whichever is greater, over the final 12 months.

In addition, Hanson has reinstated the extra day's holiday, which the unions said was promised last year, bringing annual holiday entitlement to 27 days.

TGWU national secretary Bob Blackman said: "The increase also applies to allowances and bonuses and we have an improved redundancy calculator.

"The company has come up with a last-ditch offer. We think it is the best that can be achieved by negotiation. It's up to the workers now."

GMB national secretary Alan Black said: "We are recommending the offer. It is going to a fresh ballot. We expect the result of that ballot this Friday (13 June)."

After an earlier breakdown in pay talks, the unions had called one-day strikes on 9 and 16 June. Other brick manufacturers have already reached a pay agreement for this year.