WORKERS at a major Irvine employer are due to walk out this week in a row over pay.

More than 160 members of the Unite union working at the town's GSK [GlasxoSmithKline] plant are set to go on strike after rejecting an offer from their employer.

The union's members turned town a GSK pay offer of six per cent - below the rate of inflation - and a one-off lump sum of £1,300.

Unite members working for GSK across the UK are taking part in the strike action, which begins in Montrose tomorrow (Tuesday), then moves to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology company's Irvine site.

Unite workers at the plant will take action from 6am on Thursday, May 4 until 6am on Friday, May 5.

It's the second time Unite members have walked out at the plant this year, following strikes in January.

Around 40 Irvine employees of GSK contractor Kaefer Ltd took action after a bonus playments was denied.

The workers due to take action this time include engineers, process technicians, laboratory analysts, warehouse workers and fire officers. 

Further strikes at the Irvine plant are due to take place on May 16-17, again from 6am-6am, and for 12 hours from 6am until 6pm on May 30.

Unite members working for GSK at sites in Barnard Castle, Ware, Worthing and Ulverston will also join in the industrial action in the weeks to come.

Unite says the current GSK offer represents a substantial real terms pay cut, with the current inflation rate (RPI) standing at 13.5 per cent.

The union's general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is a classic example of a corporation seeking to further boost its eye-watering profits at the expense of its workers.

"Let’s remember that this is a multibillion corporation rolling in cash. It made an operating profit of £2.1bn for the first quarter of 2023 - the first quarter.

"GSK could end this dispute right now by offering these workers a decent pay deal. The owners should know we are not walking away."

Bob MacGregor, Unite industrial officer, added: “The GSK strike action will begin in Montrose and then spread throughout the UK. It will inevitably result in widespread disruption.

"Yet GSK have deliberately chosen to escalate the dispute by walking away from negotiations. 

"Unite will have no hesitation in supporting our members in Montrose every step of the way in the fight for fair pay.”

A GSK spokesperson told the Times: “We recognise that for many of our people, this past year has seen their cost of living rise rapidly and believe the offer we have made to our UK manufacturing colleagues covered by collective bargaining agreements is fair and reasonable.

“We are therefore disappointed that the Unite union has chosen to undertake this industrial action, despite receiving a final offer which includes a six per cent increase on base pay, shift pay and allowances, plus a discretionary one-time payment of £1,300 – an overall package equivalent to a 9.7 per cent increase.”