Around 30 employees at manufacturing and solutions group Glen Dimplex have begun further strike action today (Monday 5 January) over a pay dispute.
The staff are based in Portadown, Northern Ireland, which is a base for the manufacture of storage heaters. They hold a variety of specialist roles, including maintenance, engineering, quality, administrative and supervisory functions, and are members of trade union Unite.
The strike began just after midnight and will continue until 2am on Wednesday 7 January, with picket lines forming from 7am.
The employees stated that they are seeking a pay rise to address what they felt were years of imposed below-inflation settlements and to restore fair pay. They voted unanimously for strike action after previously rejecting what they felt were inadequate pay offers, with one being an increase of 45 pence.
Staff grades at the site secured union recognition following previous successful strike action by production workers.
Sharon Graham, general secretary at Unite, said: “Glen Dimplex is treating its workforce with contempt, it needs to start treating its loyal workforce fairly and decently. The workers at Glen Dimplex have the full support of their union behind them.”
Neil Moore, regional officer at Unite, added: “Our members have returned to the picket line because of the inability of management to negotiate a resolution. The decision-makers at Glen Dimplex need to sit down and engage with Unite to find an end to this dispute and avoid the prospect of further strike escalation.”
Glen Dimplex was contacted for comment prior to publication.
