WORKERS at a Manchester factory are preparing to ballot to continue their strike as it approaches a 12-week limit, at which point the law forces them to vote again.

The 70 Unite members work at Trafford’s Chep repairing and recycling pallets, used in the transportation and distribution of goods across Britain and internationally.

Unite says the strike, launched on December 17, is beginning to hit deliveries across a range of industries including the retail sector.

The company is owned by Australian logistics conglomerate Brambles and says it is operating as “business as normal.”

Workers want a 5 per cent pay increase and have rejected a proposed below-inflation 2 per cent increase from bosses.

Unite says the company is “sitting on a pot of gold” in accumulated and continuing profits.

North West regional officer Ian McCluskey said: “The company has not spoken to us.

“There are no weak links on this picket line. Until the company moves, that is it.

“We are working on ideas to escalate. This is going to be a long dispute.”

Donations to the strike fund can be sent to: Chep NW/1 Strike Fund, Account Number 20217873 Sort Code 60-83-01.