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Employees at a Tetley Tea factory in the UK have voted to strike after refusing to take what union officials say amounts to a pay cut.

Last week, GMB union members began a ballot to strike at a facility in Teesside in north-east England, which is the only producer of Tetley in the UK.

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The union now revealed that 97% of the union members refused a pay deal from the company.

Responding to a reported 150 employees going on strike, Tata Consumer Products, the owner of Tetley, described the decision as “disappointing” in a statement.

The company said: “We are in active discussions with both unions and colleagues and keen to further discussions to reach a resolution in line with what’s reasonably affordable to the business and in the best interests of the factory.

“We must remain competitive to support the best long-term future for the factory, and our aspirations to grow Tetley’s presence in the UK and overseas.  We are continuing to invest in the site to expand its capabilities and deliver more sustainable packaging, improved quality, and plant-based teabags.”

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Tata added it is bringing in contingency plans to allow production to continue with minimum disruption to supply.

The union is yet to reveal dates for the strikes or the exact number of workers involved.

Just Drinks has approached GMB Union for comment on the decision to strike.

Similarly last week, strike dates were confirmed against UK soft drinks manufacturer AG Barr after drivers at an Irn-Bru production and distribution centre in Scotland rejected a 5% increase in wages offered by the owner.