A Tetley tea owner is taking legal action against striking workers over claims of illegal entry
Tata Consumer Products, the owner of Tetley Tea, has taken legal action against the striking factory workers, accusing them of trespassing during the wage dispute.
The company applied for an injunction after workers broke into Tetley’s Teesside production site in County Durham, breaking anti-fraud laws and behaving “intimidatingly” towards management.
The Teesside facility, Tetley’s largest production site worldwide, is responsible for producing 30% of the tea consumed in the UK. The legal dispute erupted after about 50 members of the GMB Union went on strike last month, protesting the reduction of wages for many years. The IGMB has warned that this trade may cause a shortage of tea, as it is expected to be held next year by the end of the week.
Tata Consumer Products insists that the strike action must be peaceful and follow the agreed guidelines, which include preventing the strikers from entering the factory premises. A company spokesperson said the rules are clearly communicated to employees, and any violation is considered trespassing. The matter will be heard in court on Wednesday.
Paul Clark, a GMB campaigner, accused Tetley’s management of trying to intimidate workers instead of tackling their pay issues, saying management was spending money on “bogus” legal claims rather than resolving the pay dispute.
Despite previous negotiations, Tata has stood its ground, saying it has tabled two wage proposals and implemented emergency plans to mitigate supply disruptions. The company reiterated its commitment to maintaining UK operations but warned that it must remain competitive to support future factory growth.
