Workers at Glen Dimplex factory to strike in pay dispute

Community Union members at Glen Dimplex in Whiston are taking strike action because of no agreement being reached in relation to pay.

This is despite talks having been ongoing since November last year.

The union says those striking are "skilled manufacturing workers" at the Stoney Lane site and that many of them are currently earning minimum wage.

READ > Planning committee approves development on former green belt land

It adds that members are seeking a pay rise that "reflects their service and skillset".  

The Community Union claims that Glen Dimplex is seeking to shorten the working week by an hour and keep workers’ pay the same.

It adds Community members do not find this acceptable and believe that the talks should end with a pay rise.

'Skilled work should attract skilled pay'

Gavin Miller, Community Union's national officer for light industries, said: "Community members working at Glen Dimplex are a long-serving, loyal and skilled workforce who deserve to be paid a fair wage for their work. 

"Union reps have tabled several suggestions to try and reach a conclusion to these talks, but company representatives have dismissed all the ideas that have been tabled.

"Skilled work should attract skilled pay. Many of the workers on site currently are being paid minimum wage, put simply they deserve better from their employer."  

Community members at Glen Dimplex are on strike from Monday, August 7.

The union says workers do not want to have to take this action but are "left with no alternative" as a result of what it calls the company's "lack of commitment to resolving this issue".

Glen Dimplex 'disappointed' by strike vote

A spokesperson for Glen Dimplex Home Appliances said: “We are disappointed that members of the Community Union, who are employed by Glen Dimplex Home Appliances at our Prescot site, have announced their intention to strike for two weeks from August 7, in a dispute over pay.

“We have been in discussions with our colleagues, via representatives of the Community Union, for some time with regards their pay increase demands, with the aim of reaching an acceptable outcome.  A revised pay offer was made but that has recently been rejected.

“As a business, we have always paid our colleagues a competitive salary above minimum wage. This year we offered a significant pay increase along with a change to a shorter, four-day working week. However, this was rejected and pending a collective agreement some of our colleagues find themselves earning minimum wage following the national minimum wage increase in April this year.

“Manufacturing at the Prescot site will continue at reduced levels during the industrial action."