Sun Chemical ink firm workers to strike

Pay strikes at the UK’s only ink manufacturer, Sun Chemical, will impact the printing of the Daily Mail as well as production for Amcor, Scheizwer and Multi-Colour Corp.

Nearly 200 Sun Chemical employees, members of Unite, will take strike action at sites across the country over an ‘insulting’ three per cent pay offer.

An overtime ban will commence on June 6 followed by a 24-hour strike on June 9 at seven sites, with more strikes set to be announced. The sites are in Bristol, Midsomer Norton in Somerset, Workington in Cumbria, Alfreton in Derbyshire and Heywood, Milnrow and Urmston in Greater Manchester.

Sun Chemicals is part of the global DIC corporation. According to the DIC 2021 report, the corporation made £2.5 billion in profits, with its Europe and Africa division, of which Sun Chemicals is the largest company, netting profits of £60 million.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “DIC and Sun Chemical generate massive profits so there is no reason at all why our members can’t be given a pay rise that reflects the soaring cost of living.

“Unite will not sit by while super-rich companies add to their wealth but tell their workers to swallow what amounts to a pay cut. Our Sun Chemical members are right to strike over this insulting offer and they will receive Unite’s full support.”

In Midsomer Norton production stoppages will impact Scheizwer and Multi-Colour Corp, while in Workington Amcor will be affected. The printing of the Daily Mail will be hit by stoppages in Milnrow.

Unite national officer Louisa Bull added, “Our Sun Chemical members have put up with redundancies and site closures in recent years and are now expected to take a real terms pay cut.

“Sun Chemicals should be in no doubt that the strikes will escalate if this dispute is not resolved. There is still time for industrial action to be avoided, but that requires a deal being put forward that our members can accept.”

By Ryan Fletcher