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SAMAT struck by pay strike
Page 7
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UP TO 75 DRIVERS for bulk chemical haulier Groupe SAMAT are on strike after pay negotiations between the company and the Transport and General Workers Union (T&G) broke down.
Staff stopped working on Monday and Tuesday this week at the head office in Barry, South Wales and at depots in Middlesbrough. Manchester and London. They have threatened to strike from next Tuesday (5 October) for a further seven days if the Frenchowned company refuses to budge.
The T&G's John Toner says the long-term negotiations involved a claim of 3.7% pay for 2003/04 and 3% from April this year. He adds that SAMAT would only offer 3% for the whole duration with a oneoff payment of £250: 89% voted to strike. Toner adds that SAMAT is trying to bring in foreign drivers to take on the work, hut he thinks they will be sympathetic to the UK drivers' action.
A spokeswoman for SAMAT says: "Negotiations are on-going so we do not wish to comment at the moment:'