Workers at Wigan spade factory dig in over pay

WORKERS at a Wigan factory which manufactures high quality garden tools have started strike action today in a dispute over pay.

Employees of the Rollins Bulldog Tools factory at Wigan in Lancashire were refused a pay rise for the year despite agreeing to defer pay during the past three years when the company faced financial difficulties.

Unite the Union said that its members at the site feel the refusal to increase pay this year is a “kick in the teeth” to highly skilled workers at the plant, which was set up at its current Clarington Forge site 230 years ago in 1780.

The forge in Wigan is the last remaining factory in the UK still forging solid steel spade and fork heads and produces an exclusive range of tools promoted by Alan Titchmarsh.

Debbie Brannan, Unite regional officer, said: “We were hopeful that Bulldog would play fairly and fork out a pay rise for its loyal workforce.

“Staff agreed to defer pay increases for three years and a reduction in the working week from 37 hours to 24 to help the company during difficult times. Workers have not had an increase in earnings since 2007.

“We’re not asking for the earth – we’re asking for a fair and reasonable reward for our members who have helped the company survive the recession and we are determined to see that they get it.”

She added that the union remained available to to talk to Bulldog management.

The company said that it regretted being unable to offer staff a pay rise “as we appreciate the work and loyalty they have shown to the company”.

“We did not take such a decision lightly and feel that the current business strategy we are following will ensure the long term survival of the brand and the company, which has been an important part of the Wigan community for 230 years.

” As a group, we have been unable to offer any of our employees a pay rise at this time,” it said.

The firm added that it hoped to be able to continue production and the dispatch of products with the help of employees who aren’t on strike.

“The company is committed to maintaining production of the Bulldog range within the UK. We have had to take some tough decisions over the past two years in order to safeguard and maintain the jobs of our workers when all other garden tool companies have executed a policy of taking jobs to the Far East.”