Hundreds of workers at a North East factory have gone on strike after a dispute over pay.

Nearly 300 workers employed by engineering firm Darchem in Stillington, Stockton, will strike over pay in June and July, says Unite, the UK’s leading union.

The union said the strikes, which also involve members of the GMB, will force the factory to close down, impacting production for clients including BAE’s submarine building operations in Barrow-in-Furness, Formula One racing companies, Hinkley Point and Rolls Royce aerospace.

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The workers voted for industrial action after rejecting a pay deal that would see pay rise six per cent from February, with a further four per cent in October. With the true rate of inflation, RPI, standing at 11.4 per cent, thew union has branded this 'a significant real terms pay cut'.

Unite said the deal was offered on the condition that future pay rises would then be negotiated from October of each year, rather than February, meaning workers would have to wait a year and eight months for their next annual pay rise.

Darchem, owned by the US-based TransDigm Group, makes a range of products for the automotive, aerospace, energy and shipbuilding industries.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Darchem is a hugely profitable company but instead of supporting its dedicated workforce, who are struggling with rising living costs, it is offering them a 20-month deal which over that period amounts to a pay cut.

“This is just out and out profiteering. Unite always defends our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and Darchem’s workforce have the full backing of their union as they strike for a fair pay rise.”

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The first 24-hour strike begins on 22 June, with subsequent strikes taking place on 27 and 29 June and 4, 6, 11 and 13 July. Strike action will intensify if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional officer Neil Howells said: “Darchem’s clients will not be happy at the disruption to their supply chains. But this dispute is entirely of Darchem’s own making. The company can afford to put forward a reasonable offer but is refusing to do so. It needs to table a deal Unite’s members can accept.”

Darchem has not yet responded to a Northern Echo request for a comment on the situation.