UNITE has begun balloting Grangemouth-based drivers at Turners (Soham) Ltd for strike action after they rejected a “miserly” 1 per cent pay offer.

The offer amounts to a real-terms pay cut after inflation, which climbed to 3.8 per cent last month, despite the company raking in a £51m post-tax profit in 2023, according to its latest accounts.

Drivers work on two separate contracts supplying aviation fuels to major airlines such as Jet 2, Easyjet and Emirates at Edinburgh, at Glasgow and Newcastle airports, all of which stand to be affected as early as mid-September should the workers back strike action.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite Turners’ drivers will not accept a miserly pay offer from a very profitable company. 

“We will fully support our members in their fight to secure better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Regional officer Lyn Turner added: “Turners need to come to its senses and make a fair pay offer to our members.” 

Turners (Soham) Ltd was contacted for comment.