Strike action at a Wigan factory which makes bottles for Coca Cola has been called off.
Union members have reached a pay deal with bosses at the Alpla UK plastic plant in Golborne after 150 workers threatened to walk out.
The factory makes plastic bottles and containers for some of the country's biggest brands, including Britvic, Coca Cola, PZ Cussons, Lever, Arla Foods, Core Ingredients, Princes Foods and others.
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The Unite union says members of staff at the factory will get a six percent pay rise in a new two-year deal.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This is an excellent result for our members at Alpla UK’s Golborne factory and demonstrates that when union members unite and fight for a better deal they can win.
“It is another example of how Unite is winning to secure better jobs, pay and conditions for its members.”
The deal will see staff on under £25,000 a year receive a four percent pay rise backdated to January, while staff on more than £25,000 will receive a rise of three percent, also backdated to January.
From 2022, all staff will receive a pay rise of 3.25 per cent.
Workers will also benefit from a one per cent increase on employers’ pension contributions and improvements to overtime terms, the union says.
Unite regional officer Richard O’Brien said: “This result shows what can be achieved through strong union organisation, which is why we urge workers looking to improve their pay and terms and conditions to join Unite and to get their colleagues to do the same.
“Unite looks forward to working productively with Alpla in the future for the best interests of our members, as the company continues to go from strength to strength.”
