Workers at Portadown sites of global giant Glen Dimplex strike for Living Wage

Around 100 workers are on the picket line outside two Portadown sites of global firm Glen Dimplex this morning (Wednesday)
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Glen Dimplex UK Ltd was served notice of strike action last week after the majority of the workforce voted in a ballot for a Living Wage.

This is the first three day strike action and workers took to the picket line at 6am this morning. They plan to stay until Friday.

Unite the union said it is more than seven months since workers submitted their Living Wage pay claim. A spokesperson said: “After much delay the latest offer is for a below-inflation 3.25 percent increase this year with a 4 percent increase the next. This below-inflation pay offer means workers will actually suffer a further, real-terms pay cut. It falls far short of the 11 percent workforce pay claim.

On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.
On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.

“Glen Dimplex is a hugely successful company, commanding more than 70 percent of the home heating market in the UK. Indeed, the company is ramping up investment and introducing new lines to take advantage of the surge in demand for its highly energy efficient products.”

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham said: “More than 75 percent of workers returned their ballot in the seven day period and with a 96 percent vote for strike action it is clear that they are resolved to win a real pay improvement. Make no mistake Unite is now determined to defend the jobs pay and conditions of our members. So the Glen Dimplex workers in Portadown will have the full support of my union in their fight to win a Living Wage.”

A Unite spokesperson said: “The Portadown workforce of Glen Dimplex is among the lowest paid in the manufacturing sector in the area: experienced operators received a bare £9.07 per hour, with a new start operator receiving only the national minimum wage. The workforce pay claim is for a one pound an hour increase with the aim of catching-up the living wage, never mind what is earned by workers at other local manufacturing sites competing for the similar skilled workers amidst a labour shortage. Even the infamously low-wage employer, McDonald’s down the road from the site has been offering £9.20 an hour and a sign-on bonus since the start of Summer.”

Regional Officer for Glen Dimplex is Neil Moore. He explained how Glen Dimplex pay has been allowed to fall back over a period of years.

On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.
On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.

“Glen Dimplex bosses need to recognise that if this strike proceeds all production at this site will shutdown. Workers estimate the output on one of four heater production lines in the factory alone is worth £375k a day: management need to see that the impact on the company’s bottom-line of a prolonged strike will dwarf the costs of paying its workforce fairly. They must now show their workforce some respect and pay the Living Wage,” said Mr Moore.

A spokesperson for Glen Dimplex said last week: “Glen Dimplex are always willing to engage positively with employee representative groups.

“Current discussions in relation to renumeration remain ongoing, and we would hope to see a jointly agreed outcome from these.”

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On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.
On the picket line at Portadown site of Glen Dimplex.

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