Iain Dalton, Yorkshire Socialist Party
Forklift workers at beer bottle manufacturer Ardagh Glass in Knottingley, Wakefield, are striking to defend their right to be collectively represented by their union, Unite.
In March, Lockwood Haulage company took over the forklift contract at the site, but refuses to recognise the union, despite this being written into workers’ contacts when they were transferred over from previous employer GXO.
Many of the forklift drivers have worked at the site for years, with one striker listing to me a whole series of companies that have held the contract and recognised the union.
The motives of Lockwood management have been revealed. They are trying to force workers who have taken part in training since the takeover to sign over to new, inferior contracts. The new contracts include only statutory sick pay rather than current arrangements for six months of company sick pay, for example.
Strike action began with two days on 18 and 21 July, with a live mandate running until December.
