Workers at Basildon tractor plant interrupt strike to vote

More than 500 workers at the CNH Industrial tractor factory have suspended industrial action planned for June 18, 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 to allow a vote on the new offer.

Unite regional representative Michelle Cook said: “As a sign of goodwill, Unite has suspended strike action at CNH to give workers the opportunity to vote on the new offer.

“In the event of a rejection, industrial action will resume until an acceptable offer is presented.”

The workers had already stopped work at the beginning of June after a ten-day strike at the New Holland tractor factory in May.

Deeply frustrated by the perceived “wage betrayal,” committed strikers formed picket lines and announced new strikes, which began earlier this month.

Workers had previously accused CNH of violating an agreement signed in 2022 that would calculate wage increases based on the previous year’s average inflation rate.

According to Unite, CNH offered a four percent increase for 2024, but “should have offered 7.4 percent.”

Unite also claimed that the strikes had put CNH under significant pressure as the sixty-year-old factory is a major supplier of New Holland tractors, which are shipped around the world.

It was predicted that the strikes would significantly disrupt the supply of tractors that are in demand worldwide.