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Strikes at a Lancashire technology firm have been put on hold as workers decide over a new deal.

Strikes by Unite members at Lancashire’s ELE Advanced Technologies have been suspended after the employer put forward a new offer.

Strike action by 80 engineers began on Wednesday, at the factory in Nelson after the company had initially offered a real terms pay cut to workers.

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The firm, which employs over 200 people, provides engineering solutions worldwide and specialises in the aerospace, industrial gas and commercial diesel engine sectors.

Irritated employees who were involved in strike action are members of the UK’s leading union, Unite.

United released a statement which said: “Despite the company boasting it provides an “inspiring, supportive, and collaborative working environment for its employees”, ELE Advanced Technologies has refused to fairly increase its workers’ wages.”

The company has offered the workers a £1,000 pay increase (worth approximately four per cent) from May 2023 and five per cent from May 2024.

This amounts to a substantial real term pay cut, the real inflation rate (RPI) stood at 11.3 per cent in May last year.

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham said: “ELE Advanced Technologies can absolutely afford to pay its workers better wages.

“Unite always stands shoulder to shoulder with our members to ensure we secure better jobs, pay and conditions for every single one of them.”

However it was announced yesterday that Unite members will now take a vote on whether to continue strike action or accept the improved offer.

This ballot has resulted in the strikes, which were due to continue today and tomorrow, being suspended.

Unite regional officer, Ross Quinn, said: "Following this improved offer we have paused industrial action as a gesture of goodwill.

“Over the coming days we will be balloting our members on the offer.”

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Industrial action at ELE Technologies in Nelson paused as workers vote on new deal

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