Ardagh Glass workers to strike in Ayrshire and Yorkshire

Workers at glass manufacturers Ardagh Glass are to stage a series of strikes at sites in Scotland and England in a dispute over pay.

The move comes after members of the Unite and GMB unions voted to back action at plants in Irvine, Ayrshire, and Barnsley, Doncaster and Knottingley in Yorkshire.

Ardagh Glass employs about 1,300 workers.

The strike will affect specified shifts between 9 August and 9 September.

Unite called on the management to hold talks before the strikes began, to negotiate "a meaningful and fair pay settlement".

Deputy regional secretary Tas Sangha said: "Our dispute centres on the wage award for 2013.

"Our claim is for more than the current retail price index rate, which rose to 3.3% in June.

"Unite is ready to hold talks with the management prior to the strikes beginning next week, so we can reach a fair settlement for our members. This is a highly profitable company."