WORKERS at a battery supply company in Horwich went on strike yesterday in protest over an ‘unacceptable’ pay offer.

Staff at GNB Industrial Power are furious that the company has offered a 1.5 per cent pay rise when inflation stands at 3.9 per cent.

Unite union members have called an overtime ban and a series of strikes through January, February and March.

Unite regional officer Ross Quinn said: “It is totally unacceptable for a company that is making profits to offer its loyal work force a pay deal which amounts to a cut in real terms. “To make matters worse the company’s approach to negotiations has been very poor — it even offered to improve the deal only to then cancel the meeting at the last minute.

“The company’s approach has left workers furious and determined to secure a fair pay increase that recognises their contribution to the company’s success.

“We urge management to return to the negotiating table or face months of industrial action.”

A company spokesman said: “It is with regret that the Unite Union has called upon its members in the categories of service technician and support technicians to take part in a discontinuous ban on overtime and discontinuous strike action over the forthcoming months as a result of the pay offer.

“The company has been in consultation with the Unite Union and has improved its offer a number of times during these discussions but regrettably at this present time has been unable to reach an agreement. The company believes the current offer to be a fair one in light of the financial performance of the company.”