Kone engineers striking in May, photo by Elaine Brunskill

Kone engineers striking in May, photo by Elaine Brunskill   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

Elaine Brunskill

Kone engineering service workers have been on strike every Monday over plans to use unreliable tracking devices in their vehicles.

A Unite rep from Gateshead’s site on the Team Valley Trading Estate said that, at the request of ACAS, Unite submitted an eight-point proposal. He said: “We cannot see how the company could possibly find a way to reject the package.”

The strikers were hopeful that the Unite package would at least bring the company back to ACAS. The rep commented: “We have been prepared to be flexible, but at present the company are not showing the same commitment.

“The company initially responded by stating they would give the proposals due consideration.” However, strikers have found it “contemptible” that Kone has said it would respond within seven to ten working days!

There is clearly growing anger on the picket line towards a company that, at this stage, will not negotiate a way forward. But there is also growing confidence that the dispute can be won. One striker said: “Spirits remain high and this has been helped with the support from fellow union members and the Socialist Party.”