Unite the Union, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson

Unite the Union, photo Paul Mattsson, photo Paul Mattsson   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

After a week on strike, followed by a week’s overtime ban, 460 Unite members at B&Q’s main depot in Worksop are back out on strike for another week.

Prices keep going up so a pay rise that’s at least in line with inflation is essential. Workers’ determination to win after years of low pay rises is high. 200 attended a union branch meeting and voted unanimously to step up the action. Instead of alternate weeks, the strike will be continuous.

Meanwhile, the drivers, employed by GLX, are going through a dispute procedure and may well be balloting for a strike in the next few weeks. It will strengthen all workers at the site if both strikes take place together.

A non-stop stream of horns blare out as traffic passes. Noticeable is that most working drivers – from ambulances to British Gas vans to lorries – are hooting.

Jon Dale, Mansfield Socialist Party