Four-day strike, starting on Friday
Strike action escalates at Smurfit Kappa
The industrial action is in relation to a trade dispute over the victimisation of two local trade union representatives and a lack of confidence in management.
Ban on overtime and a work to rule
The union representatives, Paul Metcalf and Geoff Butcher have been dismissed.
Industrial action has so far included a ban on overtime and a work to rule from March 24-April 24.
Mick Orpin, regional officer, Unite, told FoodProductionDaily, in addition to its ongoing overtime ban and work to rule, the union has announced plans for another strike.
“The action is being escalated to a four day stoppage commencing on Friday of this week, with the intention to keep the pressure on the company in the hope that we can get them to agree to a meeting,” he said.
Smurfit Kappa Green
The facility in Moulton Way, Northampton, is home to Smurfit Kappa Green, which specialises in the design and manufacture of corrugated packaging for fresh and prepared produce, in addition to the floral and bedding markets.
A spokesman for the company said: “We are concluding our internal processes so cannot comment at this stage although we are disappointed at the plan to take further action.”
The four day stoppage will start at 05.50 on Friday and ends at 06.00 on Tuesday, April, 21.
Unite said it is ready to hold talks with the company, under the auspices of the conciliation service, Acas but, so far, the management has refused.
Both stewards were instrumental in bringing a claim against the company for the incorrect payment of a bonus, going back a number of years, and could cost the company over £250,000, depending on the outcome of a forthcoming court case.
They were also instrumental in resisting second generation contracts being introduced into the workplace in 2014 which would have meant new starters getting paid less than existing workers for the same job.
Unite members voted by 60% for strike action and 73% for action short of a strike over the dismissal of the first steward and the suspended second steward, since sacked.
