Trade union GMB said that its members employed at the facility had voted in favour of industrial action due to their dissatisfaction with “poverty pay”.
According to plans published by GMB, almost 150 workers are preparing to strike on 20 September and 23 September.
Tetley is owned by Tata Consumer Products, an Indian company which owns a number of FMCG brands including Tata Tea, Eight O’Clock Coffee and Himalayan Water.
When asked for comment by Food Manufacture, Tata said it has made two pay offers, which it accused trade unions of failing to present to members before triggering a ballot on strike action.
The Eaglescliffe facility is the only location producing Tetley tea bags for the UK and Canadian markets, meaning that any period of industrial action could result in shortages. However, Tata said it has put contingency plans in place that will enable production to continue with "minimum disruption to supply".
Commenting on the decision to strike, GMB organiser Paul Clark said: “This loyal, predominately female workforce has endured year after year of real terms pay cuts. Now they have had enough.
“GMB members are being intimidated by management not to go on strike – they trying to bully workers rather than listen to their concerns and try to find a solution. Tata bosses need to get back round the table, or we face a shortage of the UK’s favourite cup of tea this autumn.”
Tata responds
In response to the news of strike action, a spokesperson for Tata Consumer Products said that the group was disappointed with the decision.
"Of course, we are not immune to the difficult economic circumstances facing families and businesses, but we do believe the pay award offers made by us to be fair," the spokesperson added.
"As both pay offers remain open it is not appropriate for us to comment on the negotiations or the inaccuracies of the content of the press releases being issued. We are urging the unions to reconsider their position and present the two offers on the table for consideration by members so that we can reach a swift resolution in line with what's reasonably affordable to the business, and in the best interests of the factory.
"From discussions we are aware that the majority of members do not want to harm the business and would welcome the opportunity to consider the offers on the table which are yet to be shared with them.
"As a business we always seek to do the right thing, but we must act fairly and responsibly. We are committed to our UK manufacturing base and are continuing to invest to expand its capabilities and further our sustainability agenda. We must work however to remain competitive to support the best interests of the factory and our aspirations to grow our tea presence in the UK and overseas."
Last year, almost 200 GMB members employed at the same site in Eaglescliffe agreed to a backdated 7% pay rise offered by Tata after threatening a walk out.
