GSK is being accused of “cast-iron corporate greed” by its workers after pay increase disputes.
The employees — all members of Unite, the UK’s leading union — will be voting on strike action over the disagreements.
The workers were offered a pay increase ranging between 2.75% and 4%, and both technically result in a pay cut as current inflation is standing at 7.8%. Last year, the company’s chief executive Emma Walmsley received a raise amounting to 17%.
Union members are banking on GSK wanting to avoid the embarrassment of an industrial action ballot, especially as GSK looks to demerger its consumer health care biz, forming a new unit called Haleon.
Tony Devlin, Unite national officer for pharmaceuticals, said “GSK needs to understand the strength of feeling of our members on pay. Industrial action could be averted if it returns to the negotiating table and makes a pay offer in line with workers’ expectations.”
Voting for strike action will open on March 25th and close in late April. “Unite’s members at GSK are balloting for strike action as a last resort. The union has exhausted all other avenues to resolve this dispute through negotiations,” Devlin added.