Tata Consumer Products, the owner of Tetley Tea, has taken legal action against striking factory workers, accusing them of wrongdoing during an ongoing pay dispute.
The company has applied for an infringement notice after employees allegedly entered Tetley’s Teesside production site in County Durham, breached picket lines and engaged in ‘intimidating’ behavior towards managers.
The Teesside factory, Tetley’s largest manufacturing site in the world, is responsible for producing 30% of the tea consumed in Britain. The legal dispute emerged after almost 150 members of the GMB union went on strike last month to protest real pay cuts over several years. The GMB warned that the strikes could lead to tea shortages, with further industrial action planned for later this week.
Tata Consumer Products emphasizes that strike action must be peaceful and follow agreed guidelines, including preventing strikers from gaining access to the factory premises. A company spokesperson said the rules have been clearly communicated to employees and any violation will be considered a violation. The case will be heard in court on Wednesday.
Paul Clark, a GMB organiser, has accused Tetley management of intimidating workers rather than addressing their concerns over wages, claiming bosses are spending money on “trumped up” legal claims rather than resolving the pay dispute .
Despite previous negotiations, Tata continues to stand by its position, saying it has submitted two wage offers and implemented contingency plans to minimize supply disruption. The company stressed its commitment to maintaining its UK operations, but warned it must remain competitive to support the plant’s future growth.