Goss Graphic had offered a 2% pay increase backdated to 1 October this year, followed by a 1% increase for 2004. However, Amicus AEEU regional officer Pat ORegan said members regarded the offer as a pay cut when inflation was taken into account.

Over 170 technical, managerial and clerical staff, who are members of the MSF section of Amicus, went on strike last Friday (12 December).

We have failed to get a reasonable offer on the table. Our members have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action, said ORegan.

However, it is unlikely that there will be further days of strike action before the Christmas break, although the unions overtime ban remains in place.