Over 150 Tetley workers went on strike on Friday, with further industrial action planned, following an unresolved pay dispute, says the GMB Union.

Members of the predominantly female workforce have walked out at Tetley’s Tata Consumer Products in Teeside, after claiming they were “paid a pittance”, and announced they will strike again next week on 10 October.

The industrial action marks the first ever taken by workers at tea brand Tetley after the GMB noted “tensions” between employees and management.

Among other claims, GMB says management called the police during the previous industrial action, claiming the predominantly women strikers were being “intimidating”.

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The union added that Tetley is now suing the workers for trespass.

GMB organiser Paul Clark said: “These women work their fingers to the bone for this company, providing the UK with its favourite cup of tea.

“But they’re paid a pittance and it is just not right. Not only that but, now bosses are trying to sue them for exercising their legal right to strike.

“Tata bosses need to be clear; these women will not be intimidated and will not back down until they’ve won a pay rise that allows them a decent standard of living.”

The upcoming industrial action comes in the wake of Tetley workers accepting a new pay deal in August 2023, despite the union saying the offer still “had a long way to go [as] Tetley workers fight for pay justice”.