Chessington strikes off as engineers secure bumper pay deal

Planned strike action involving engineers employed at Chessington World of Adventures, which would have disrupted the theme park throughout the May bank holiday weekends, has been called off following an improved pay offer.

The industrial dispute was a result of the company attempting to impose a real terms pay cut on the engineers.

However, following extensive talks at the conciliation service Acas earlier this week, a revised pay offer was made, which was worth an average of 13.53 per cent across the engineering bargaining group. Following a meeting of members the offer was accepted and the strikes called off.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This was an excellent result for our members who for the very first time stood together in unity and ensured that their employer made a fair pay offer.

“This pay victory is a fresh vindication of how Unite’s relentless focus on enhancing jobs, pay and conditions is delivering for members.”

Unite regional officer Lui D’Cunha said: “From the outset Unite always believed that Chessington could afford to make an improved pay offer. Once the company realised the determination of our members an offer that met the engineers’ expectations was made.”