Lancashire Chemical Workers Ballot for Strike Action Over Pension Cuts

Workers at Honeywell's chemical works in Lancashire are set to vote on potential strike action over pension cuts. The union, Unite, claims that nearly 320 workers will see employer pension contributions drop by nine percent after the company acquired Johnson Matthey Catalyst Technologies in July.

The affected sites are located in Billingham and Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham and Clitheroe in Lancashire. The employees produce catalysts for various industries, including ammonia, methanol, oil, and gas. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated that the workers were 'lied to' about Honeywell's pension provision being 'broadly comparable' to Johnson Matthey's.

The union claims that death in service cover at Honeywell is significantly lower than it was under Johnson Matthey. Strikes would impact various clients, including BP, Equinor, Linde, Shell, thyssenkrupp Uhde, and DG Fuels and USA BioEnergy.