British Engines workers in Newcastle and Jarrow end strike after pay deal agreed

Around 170 British Engines workers in Newcastle and South Tyneside have ended their strike after securing a pay deal.

Workers from three British Engines businesses; BEL engineering in Newcastle, and Rotary Power and Michell Bearings in Jarrow, announced a strike in May with union Unite saying workers were angry at being offered a three per cent pay rise. Union members at the three companies have voted to accept a two-year pay deal which includes a 3.5 per cent pay increase backdated to December for BEL Engineering and Rotary Power workers.

Michell Bearings workers will receive 3.5 per cent backdated to March and their pay anniversary will be moved from March until December. Workers at all three companies will receive a two per cent increase or the rate of inflation, whichever is higher, from January 2025, and all share the same pay anniversary.

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Rotary Power workers will receive an additional 12 banked hours and three hours paid for hospital appointments per year. Unite says that the pay deal is an improvement on the original offers that British Engines had put forward.

Anna Lavery, Unite regional officer, said: "This result shows the power of being in a union. Those looking to achieve enhanced wages and better working lives should join Unite and organise their colleagues to do the same."

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "British Engines workers stood together in their union and won. Once again, Unite’s total focus on defending and improving jobs, pay and conditions is delivering real material benefits for our members."

ChronicleLive has approached British Engines for comment.