WORKERS at a home appliances factory will go back on strike next week in an ongoing pay dispute, a union has said.

Community Union members who work at Glen Dimplex home appliances factory on Stoney Lane, Whiston, began a course of industrial action earlier this month over pay after negotiations with management at the Irish-headquartered firm reached gridlock.

An initial two-week strike took place from Monday, August 7 and a march and rally was held by Community members in Prescot on August 9.

The Community Union says the company responded to calls for a pay rise for workers by refusing to increase pay and proposing to reduce the working week - a suggestion which it says members at Glen Dimplex have deemed "unacceptable".

A Community Union statement said: "Following an initial two-week strike over pay workers at Glendimplex in Prescot are back at work this week, however the dispute is far from over. 

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"The workforce has gone back to work for a week whilst working under work-to-rule and overtime ban conditions, this will be followed by a further two-week strike commencing on August 28.

"Initial talks are scheduled through ACAS in an attempt to resolve the dispute, Community will continue to back these workers until a fair offer is made by management – we all hope they see sense and show their workforce the respect they deserve."

St Helens Star: Union members held the march earlier this monthUnion members held the march earlier this month (Image: Community Union)

When asked about the dispute earlier this month, a Glen Dimplex Home Appliances spokesperson said the firm was "disappointed" by the industrial action.

They added: “We have been in discussions with our colleagues, via representatives of the Community Union, for some time with regards to 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."