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More than 400 workers at the Drax power station in Yorkshire have called off strike action whilst they vote on a new pay offer.
The employees represented by the GMB and Unite unions were due to begin the first of a series of six 48-hour walkouts on Sunday morning (14 July) after rejecting Drax’s proposal for a 2.8 per cent pay rise across 2019 and 2020.
Workers had already voted down a lower offer of a 2.5 per cent increase in both years. Drax has now raised its offer for a second time to include a 3 per cent bump in 2020. It applies to employees of all grades, including apprentices.
Both GMB and Unite have recommended their members to accept the proposal. “As a result, we have suspended the 48-hour strike due to have started on Sunday and our members will be working normally,” said Unite regional officer, Kelvin Mawer
“Over the coming days we will hold meetings with our members to discuss the rationale behind the offer and why we are recommending acceptance.
“Dates for the electronic ballot will be announced as soon as possible and Unite won’t be commenting further until that ballot has closed.”
A spokesperson for Drax said: “The strike which had been planned to start this weekend has been called off. We have continued to work closely with the unions – both sides want to find a resolution.
“We have put forward a further improved offer of 2.8 per cent in 2019 with an increase from 2.8 per cent to 3 per cent in 2020, linked to contractual changes reflecting the flexibility required in the future, which union members will now vote on.”
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