Flooring company staff announce new strike action after latest pay offer

Strike action over a wage dispute is set to continue at a Bury flooring manufacturer, despite bosses tabling their latest offer.

Polyflor, on Radcliffe New Road, is part of the James Halstead group of companies.

Members of the GMB trade union have been in dispute with the firm over the latest pay round.

The union announced today (October 24) that it will commence the latest stage of its strike action at the firm from next week, after 97% of members backed further protests, on a 96% turnout in the ballot.

Union officers describe the offer as a “real terms pay cut”, and have announced a fortnight-long stoppage at Polyflor from October 31.

It said their members, which number almost 200, viewed the firm’s pay offer as “insulting” and announced pickets will be staged from 8-10am and 4-6pm on Monday to Friday outside the factory.

GMB members, which make up less than a third of Polyflor staff, carried out a week-long strike, from September 7, as part of the protest.

Earlier this month James Halstead posted record profits of £52.06m, on a 9.6% increase in revenues of £291.9m for the year to June 30, 2022.

John Waddington, GMB representative at Polyflor, said: “These dedicated workers are suffering from the worst cost of living crisis in a generation, rising interest rates and a crumbling economy.

“The company is profitable – the least they can do is share this with hard up workers.

“Workers’ wages have fallen in real terms by 10%. They deserve a decent pay rise.”

The union is asking for a 10% increase in salary.

A spokesman for James Halstead said the group made an offer to the GMB last Friday comprising a £400 one-off payment, and an eight per cent pay rise for Polyflor staff. He added “Negotiations continue.”

The union had agreed to suspend planned strike action from October 27-31, this week.