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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Paul Britton

Factory workers 'told not to turn up for shifts' to go on strike in pay dispute

Almost 200 workers at a flooring factory are to go on strike in a dispute over pay. GMB union members at Polyflor, a manufacturer of vinyl floorcoverings headquartered in Whitefield, Bury, will take part in industrial action tomorrow, Wednesday.

But the union said staff involved were told by bosses not to turn up for their shifts this week, which GMB described as a 'vindictive attack'. The move to strike comes after GMB said its members had rejected the company's final pay offer.

The union also hit out at the message from Polyflor to its workers, which the union said told them processing shifts were 'suspended' from 6am on Monday, September 5.

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Polyflor declined to comment when contacted, reports BusinessLive. The company also has a Greater Manchester base in Oldham.

GMB regional organiser Stephen Boden said: "GMB has written to the company demanding an explanation.

"This looks like a vindictive attack on workers due to take legitimate industrial action over pay.

"GMB members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, all they are looking for is a fair settlement of a 10 per cent - which is still below inflation. Meanwhile the company dishes out £24 million to shareholders."

"GMB is encouraging bosses to get back around the table and enter meaningful negotiations to bring the dispute to a close."

The company is a leading manufacturer of vinyl floor coverings. GMB said the rejection of the offer followed 'months of delays and several weeks of negotiations'.

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