Tetley strike escalates – owner Tata calls in police against women

The first ever industrial action by workers at Tetley’s has escalated.

“These women work their fingers to the bone for this company, providing the UK with its favourite cup of tea,” says the GMB Union

Almost 150 GMB members working at Tata Consumer Products, which makes Tetley Tea in Teesside, have walked out today [Friday] in anger over poverty pay, and a further strike will take place on 10 October.

Tensions between workers and bosses were further inflamed when management called the police during previous industrial action, claiming the predominantly women strikers were being “intimidating”.

Police took no action and now the company is suing their own workers for trespass.

“These women work their fingers to the bone for this company, providing the UK with its favourite cup of tea," said Paul Clark, GMB Organiser. “But they’re paid a pittance and it is just not right.

“Not only that but, now bosses are trying to sue them for exercising their legal right to strike.

“Tata bosses need to be clear; these women will not be intimidated and will not back down until they’ve won a pay rise that allows them a decent standard of living.”