A STRIKE at a pallet supplier in Trafford Park is ongoing more than two months after it started – with management to enter talks to resolve the issue.

A rally is to be held at the base of CHEP UK on Village Way at 7.30am on Wednesday, as workers and other supporters seek to pile pressure on bosses.

The workers themselves have been on continuous strike outside the pallet supplier since the middle of December, after individual strikes earlier in the month did not achieve an improvement on CHEP UK's below-inflation pay offer of two per cent.

The latest vote on whether to continue the strike into the spring came back with almost 95 per cent of them in support.

Now, with bosses to enter talks to resolve the issue tomorrow, the workers are set to be bolstered by support from Manchester Trades Union Council.

Previously, leaders like council leader Andrew Western and Stretford and Urmston MP Kate Green have also appeared at the picket line.

Messenger Newspapers: Andrew Western and Kate Green MP with the workers (Image: Unite the Union).Andrew Western and Kate Green MP with the workers (Image: Unite the Union).

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, the union representing the workers, said: "This latest vote for strike action is a robust rejection of a pitiful offer from the company which would leave workers considerably worse off. Management needs to get serious and come back with a pay rise, not a cut in living standards.

"Our CHEP members have the full and solid support of their union in their fight."

An important link in the supply chain, CHEP supplies pallets to prominent companies including Heinz and Heineken. According to Unite, its profits 'soared' in the last two years.

Ian McCluskey, a regional officer for the union, added: "Our members have been on continuous strike for a pay rise from an employer whose profits soared during the pandemic.

"CHEP has agreed to talks, so we want a big show of support at the rally to demonstrate the strength of our members' determination to achieve pay justice."