Liebherr bribery of Sunderland strikers with burgers condemned by union

Unorthodox attempts to disrupt strike action by construction workers at Sunderland's Stadium of Light have been condemned “pathetic and patronising” by trade unions.

Some 30 striking crane assemblers involved in a dispute over “inadequate” pay with Germany's Liebherr Group have been confronted by management staff offering burgers and pizzas to those willing to break their strike.

Unite regional officer Mark Sanderson said: “The company has refused to enter into meaningful talks, instead a bevy of bosses have been at the gate on strike days to greet and shake the hands of those crossing the picket line. The same managers are taking photos and videos of the pickets in an attempt to intimidate the strikers.”

Unite members voted by 79% for strike action after rejecting the German outfit’s offer of 3%, a £150 lump sum and an extra day off over the Christmas period for the year starting January 2018.

The strikes have been ongoing since early August and will continue tonight at Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light as the Black Cats play host to Stoke City U21’s in the EFL Trophy and on Saturday’s League 1 game against Fleetwood Town.

“The Sunderland crane operation is part of the global Liebherr Group which recently boasted the highest turnover in the group’s history – a total of almost €10 billion, so the company can well afford to make a fair offer to our members,” said Sanderson.

Liebherr managing director Ralph Saelzer said the unions were demanding a 4% rise at a time when CPI inflation was just 2.4% and added that, while the group as a whole was doing well, the maritime cranes operation was facing tough competition.