Workers at the Bolton branch of a banknote printing company are set to go on strike for a “fair pay increase.”

The 73 workers at global currency printer De La Rue’s branch on Chorley Road on the Wingates Industrial Estate are set to stage a 24-hour walkout next week.

Union officials say this comes after staff were offered a pay rise of 2.5 per cent, which they have described as “sub-par.”

Unite regional officer Gary Fairclough said: “After 10 years of sub-par offers, workers have had enough.

“Our members work tirelessly, and their pay must reflect this.”

The Bolton News: The strikes are being organised by Unite the UnionThe strikes are being organised by Unite the Union (Image: PA)

The 24-hour strike is set to take place on Tuesday January 23. 

As well as the strike, workers will also take part in an overtime ban that could lead to product delays.

The union claims that the pay rise in effect means real terms pay cut given the rest high rates of inflation people all over the country have endured.

Basingstoke head quartered De La Rue work with governments around the country to print banknotes that they say demonstrates innovation and security.

In early 2021 the company announced plans to invest £20million in new banknote technology after winning a three-year contract with the Bank of England

This included using the company’s Safeguard polymer substrate to produce £5, £10 and £50 notes, which have been manufactured at the Wingates facility.

But in April last year, De La Rue warned that profits were likely to be below market expectations after demand for banknotes fell to a 20-year low.

In December last year, the company posted an underlying operating profit of £7.9 million for the six months to September 30, down from £9.3 million the previous year. 

The union says that it believes the company could still afford to give its workers a larger pay increase if it chose to do so and will support the workers at the Wingates facility in their upcoming strike.

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Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “De la Rue’s attitude to its workers is appalling.

“The company can clearly afford to pay its workers a far pay increase, but it is choosing not to.

“Unite’s unremitting focus on the jobs, pay and conditions for our members, will ensure they will receive the union’s total support”.

De La Rue has declined to comment.