Workers at sports cloth manufacturer WSP Textiles have announced plans to take strike action for the first time in the company’s history, a move Unite says could lead to shortages of snooker baize and tennis ball felt if the dispute is not resolved.
According to Unite, its members at WSP have rejected a 2.35 per cent pay offer, which the union says does not reflect current cost-of-living pressures. Unite states that many production workers earn close to the minimum wage and have not received an above-inflation pay increase for several years.
WSP operates factories in Stroud and Dursley, producing sporting cloth used internationally. Unite says the company supplies tennis ball felt to manufacturers including Wilson, Slazenger and Dunlop, with products used at major tournaments such as Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open. The union also says WSP’s snooker baize is used on tables worldwide, including those used in World Snooker Tour events in the UK, the USA and China.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Workers at WSP do an extremely skilled job that allows highly paid sports stars to bring pleasure to millions around the world.
“This is a profitable company which, in Unite’s view, is not offering its workforce a fair pay increase. Our members will have the full support of their union in this dispute.”
Strike action is scheduled for 12–20 January and 22–23 January, with Unite stating that nearly 50 workers are expected to take part, which it says would halt production during those periods. Unite has warned that, if the dispute continues into winter and spring, supply issues could affect some tennis and snooker events.
Unite says WSP reported profits of around £1.4 million in 2024 on revenues of more than £23 million, based on company accounts. The union also states that the company’s highest-paid director earns close to £100,000 a year, while production workers earn under £13 an hour.
Unite regional officer Michael Hobbs said: “WSP need to return to negotiations with an improved offer. Without progress, Unite believes there is a risk that supplies to major tennis and snooker events could be disrupted.”
