STRIKING members of a union who work at Whiston's Glen Dimplex factory are to lead a mock "anniversary party" on the picket line tomorrow (Thursday) to mark 10 months of stalled pay talks.
The Community Union, representing workers at the factory on Stoney Lane, says it has been in pay talks with the company since November last year.
The union claims many of the skilled manufacturing workers at the Whiston site are currently on the minimum wage, but rather than increasing their pay, the company's position has been to reduce the working week - a policy which it says Community members have found "unacceptable".
The workforce began an initial two-week course of industrial action from August 7, during which a march took place through Prescot town centre in support of the union's call for skilled pay for skilled work.
Workers restarted their shifts for a week under work to rule and overtime ban conditions, before commencing another two-week strike last week, from August 28.
Community Union's national officer for light industries Gavin Miller said: "We'd like to invite everyone along to the picket line on Thursday to commemorate the 10-month anniversary of our pay talks with Glen Dimplex management.
"As a gesture of goodwill, we won't even ask the company to pay for cake and balloons - though they could probably afford to fork out for a few given that their annual turnover clocks in at around €944m.
"Instead, the real icing on the cake would be the company investing some of their mouth-watering profits - which quadrupled last year - to fund a deserved pay rise for their dedicated workforce on Merseyside. Glen Dimplex executives in Dublin know very well that the workforce in Whiston make a huge contribution to the success of the business - that's why they're now being tasked with manufacturing new product ranges which the company hope will boost their already healthy profits."
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He added: "The workforce don't want to continue the industrial action, but the company's dithering and prevarication has left them with very little choice. Community's message to Glen Dimplex management is clear: give your workers a pay rise that reflects the skilled work they do. A positive conclusion to 10 months of deeply frustrating pay talks really would be a cause for celebration."
A spokesperson for Glen Dimplex Home Appliances said: “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 against the backdrop of affordability for the business.
“We have always paid our colleagues a competitive salary above minimum wage.
"This year we have proposed several, significant pay awards along with a change to a shorter working week. These offers have been rejected.
“Discussions are ongoing with ACAS.”
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