Goss Graphic Systems had offered a 2% pay increase backdated to October 1 this year, followed by a 1% increase for 2004.

However, Amicus AEEU regional officer Pat ORegan said: That represents a 3% increase over two years, our members see that as a pay cut when you take inflation into account.

Over 170 technical, managerial and clerical staff, who are members of the MSF section of Amicus, went on strike last Friday (12 December).

ORegan added that there was also concern about the firms pension scheme, which it was feared would be closed next year.

We have had negotiations over pay and have failed to get a reasonable offer on the table. Our members have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, said ORegan.

However, it is unlikely that there will be further days of strike action before the Christmas break, as none is scheduled and the union would have to give the company seven days notice.

The unions overtime ban across the company remains in place.

Earlier this month around 180 press manufacturing workers held an official two-day strike, as well as an unofficial walkout on Monday when they found that a member of management had used a press testing rig in their absence (PrintWeek 11 December).

Story by John Davies