Envases Liverpool makes tinplate packaging from 250ml capacity up to 25 litres, which it also prints onto. The site specialises in rectangular cans and canisters, as well as United Nations approved drums. 

Unite said that it believed rep John Williams was dismissed on false charges “as a direct consequence of him standing up for the Unite members at the factory”.

“Envases had sought to use misleading information and a false statement to try to drive a wedge between Unite and another union at the factory. After Mr Williams exposed the company’s actions he was dismissed,” the union stated. 

Strike action is now planned for 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 March.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Envases Liverpool of “behaving like a cowboy operator”.

“This is disgraceful behaviour by Envases. The dismissal of a Unite rep is an aggressive, anti-union act so our members have no choice but to take a stand until their friend and colleague is reinstated,” she said.

“Unite does what it says on the trade union tin; it always fights for the jobs, pay and conditions of its members and the workers at Envases will receive the union’s total support.”

Envases Liverpool was formerly part of the Huber Packaging Group. In February 2021 the Huber Packaging plants became part of Denmark-headquartered Envases Europe. 

Envases Liverpool had not commented at the time of writing. 

The firm had sales of just over £11m in the year to 31 December 2020 and made an operating loss of £1.3m. The business employed 65 staff at the time.

Envases Liverpool is not connected to family-owned Port Talbot-based Envases UK, which makes aluminium cans.