AROUND 500 workers at New Holland tractor factory in Basildon are being balloted for strike action over pay.

Workers employed by CNH Industrial at its New Holland tractor factory in Basildon could strike, the UK’s leading union Unite say.

The union say that strike action would severely compromise the supply of New Holland tractors, which are shipped across the world.

They claim the workers are angry that the company has reneged on an agreement struck during 2022 stating pay increases would be calculated by the average rate of inflation over the year.

The factory is one of the borough’s biggest employers and has been trading in the town for more than 50 years.

Michelle Cook, Unite regional officer, added: “Strikes at CNH Basildon could see global shortages of New Holland tractors.

“This would be entirely the fault of the company and its broken pay promises.

“Strike action can still be avoided, but CNH must return with an offer our members can accept.”

CNH is instead offering four per cent for 2024, rather than the 7.4 per cent it should be under the original agreement.

For 2025, the company is offering the rate of inflation as of December 2024.

Last month, CNH announced revenues of $24.7 billion for 2023 and a pre-tax earnings of more than $2.38 billion.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “CNH is a hugely wealthy company but is choosing to short-change its Basildon workers out of sheer greed.

“Unite made an agreement with the company over pay in good faith and CNH must stick to it.

“Unite never accepts attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions and CNH’s Basildon workforce have their union’s full support.”

The ballot for strike action opens tomorrow and will close on April 10.

New Holland have been contacted for comment by the Echo.