Flooring workers strike, Derbyshire

More than 70 production workers at Forbo Flooring UK in Ripley, Derbyshire began a series of 48-hour strikes on Tuesday 15 October.

The day before, the workers had rejected, by a huge majority, a slightly improved offer from management for a two-year package backdated to 1st January 2019, running to 31st December 2020.

The basic package was for a 2.2% salary increase in Year 1, and 2.1% in Year 2, with two extra days holiday at Christmas 2019.

The Unite union stated that the staff have been undervalued and disrespected throughout the dispute, in addition to a prevalence of a culture of bullying and harassment in the workplace.

The 48-hour strikes are to run for 10 weeks until Christmas and these will be accompanied by a continuous overtime ban.

Unite members voted 61% in favour of strike action for better pay, terms and conditions.

Ian Hunter, Derby Socialist Party