Strikes called off at engineering firm

Workers at an engineering firm have called off a strike after a pay deal was reached.

Forty Unite members at Slough-based firm John Crane were set to walk out in May and June after they rejected a pay offer of 3%.

But on Wednesday, the union announced they had voted to accept an improved offer of 3.75% backdated to October 2024.

Unite regional officer Malcolm Bonnett said workers had showed "great strength and unity" on the picket line. John Crane said it did not wish to comment on the matter.

Employees at the firm make seals, bearings and pumps for the oil and gas industry, and had previously undertaken six days of strike action in April and May.

They were due to walk out from 27 May to 31 May and on 5 and 11 June.

The new pay agreement is part of a two-year deal, which will also see workers getting a 3% uplift next year,.

It also involved John Crane dropping plans to give staff individual appraisals to determine pay going forward, Unite said.

"This improved offer only came about because our members were determined to fight for a better deal through industrial action," said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

Mr Bonnett said there was "still work to be done when it comes to pay", adding the union looked forward to negotiating further with the company.

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