Workers at Cheltenham shower firm to learn if strikes will go on
EMBATTLED workers at Kohler Mira are meeting company bosses today to see whether further strike action can be avoided.
More than 130 employees at the bathroom design firm, in Cromwell Road, have taken part in two planned walkouts over the last month.
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Walkout: Kohler Mira workers
Armed with banners and placards, they have been taking a stand against a 1.6 per cent pay increase, which they have described as "derisory".
A meeting is due to take place today, when company bosses will announce whether they accept employees' demands.
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If negotiations fail, a third day of strikes is scheduled to take place next Wednesday. Christine Starling, regional officer for the Unite union, said: "Talks are very much in the balance. We will have to see what happens.
"We have put a series of proposals to the company and they are due to come back to us with their response.
"The walkouts have shown the company that we are a united front. It has been a good show of solidarity against what amounts to a derisory pay increase."
Staff are showing their anger at being offered a 1.6 per cent pay increase after having no pay rise during the previous financial year.
They say the company, which made a profit of £21 million last year and recently signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Cheltenham Town Football Club, can afford to give them more.
They conducted their first of four walkouts on June 30, since when staff have refused to work overtime.
Alan Michael, 59, who has worked at the company for more than 28 years, said: "None of us wants to be out on strike.
"But the fact that 85 per cent of our union members are in favour of action shows something is not right here."
A spokesman for the company said he was "disappointed" over the walkouts.
Comments
by ANON, gloucester
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 11:36PM
“I totally agree with you jason, at least they have a job, i know who will be going first if they lay anybody off.”
by Jason, Cheltenham
Wednesday, July 21 2010, 7:41PM
“Why don't these workers have a look outside into the real world? There are people who have had to take shorter working weeks, some who have had to take 20% pay cuts to secure their jobs and worst of all plenty who have been made redundant. A pay rise would be welcome by all of these and plenty more besides. Do they not understand that sponsorship deals are part of the business model which help to promote the business name and in turn secure their very jobs? Come on guys, stop complaining and using the threat of blackmail strike action. Maybe negotiate a deferred deal, be thankful for your jobs and when the global economy has stabilised then call in your deferred deal and reap the benefits of a strong, successful company!”