Baker Hughes can afford to do better by workers
The threat of strike action hangs over a Newcastle energy company after workers twice turned down a real terms pay cut.
More than 200 workers at Baker Hughes, in Walker, will now take part in a formal industrial action ballot.
The dates of the ballot will be announced in the coming days.
GMB members at the company - which makes pipelines for the oil and gas industry – have overwhelmingly turned down pay offers of 4 and 4.56 per cent.
With inflation at 12.3 per cent, both offers amount to massive real terms pay cut.
Michael Hunt, GMB Organiser, said:
"These workers are facing the worst cost of living pressures in a generation.
“Four and a half per cent is nowhere near enough.
“This is a multinational company making vital pipes for the energy sector – it’s order books are full for years to come.
“It can afford to do better by its workers.”
