GMB members working at Tata Consumer Products, makers of Tetley Tea in Teesside, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in response to an ongoing dispute over pay.

150 workers took part in a ballot, with a majority of 79 per cent saying they’ve had enough of poverty pay and wanted to move to industrial action.

The predominately female workforce has endured year after year of real terms pay cuts.

Strike action will begin in September if Tata refuse to get back round the table and begin meaningful negotiations.

A long-standing employee at Tetley Tea, said: 

"As a female operator and a single parent, I rely on benefits to top up my wage.

"I have had to resort to using the food bank provided by Tetley to feed my children - and as you can imagine, this is embarrassing for me - I can't provide adequately.

"As the new school term approaches there are more things to fork out for."

Paul Clark, GMB Organiser, said:

"All the workers are asking for is a fair pay increase that helps address the rising cost of living.

"They have had to endure years of real terms pay cuts and are sick to the back teeth of it.

"Our members are united in their demand for a fair increase.

"No one wants to take industrial action, and the ball is firmly in Tata’s court to make sure it doesn’t happen.

"To avoid a tea shortage this autumn, I would urge Tata to get back round the negotiating table with a genuine commitment to bring this dispute to an end."