Ruabon factory workers to strike amid calls for fairer pay deal

Healthcare and safety equipment workers at a factory in Wrexham are set to stage industrial action over what a union has described as a “measly pay increase”.

Over 150 workers at Ceramtec UK in Ruabon, will strike across four days from 28 – 31 May.

Ceramtec produces high-tech ceramics for use in healthcare, safety components within the automotive and manufacturing industry.

This includes items such as replacement hips and safety transducers but also advanced ceramic components for medical applications.

A typical grade C, day worker, who is responsible for manufacturing ceramic medical equipment such as sensors and transducers currently earns £11.44 per hour.

According to Unite staff have been offered a ’79 pence increase to their basic hourly rate.’

The union says that disrupted production of Ceramtec’s products could lead to significant consequences for its customers given the use of ‘just in time’ supply chains.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Ceramtec are treating their workers with contempt by offering such a measly pay rise when their latest accounts show millions in profits.

“They need to realise that our members won’t stand for such penny pinching in a cost of living crisis, Unite has their backs every step of the way.”

Unite regional officer Jono Davies said: “The strike action will inevitably lead to delays and disruption in the production and supply of vital components but this dispute is entirely of Ceramtecs own making, it has had every opportunity to make workers a fair pay offer but has failed to do so.

“Ceramtec need to get its house in order and come back with a significantly improved offer.”

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