Shareholders have been rewarded, yet our members have once again been sold a pup says GMB
GMB, the union for workers in the furniture and timber industry, will hold an overtime ban this week at Metsa Wood Timber plants followed by a strike on Thursday, 26th May over pay.
GMB members employed by Metsa Wood at plants in Boston, Lincolnshire and Widnes, Cheshire rejected a pay offer from the company in April and voted in favour of strike action to secure a better offer .
Metsa Wood, a manufacturer of rough sawn timber and other wood products, has 514 UK employees and supply companies like B&Q. The company had a turnover of £170.5 million in 2014 with a gross profit of £30 million. (See notes to editors for more information on Metsa Wood)
Strikes will take place from 6am on Thursday, 26th May 2016 at locations as follows:
Old Golf Course,
Fishtoft Road,
Boston,
Lincolnshire
PE21 0BJ
Ditton Road,
Widnes
Cheshire
WA8 0QG
Dave Hulse, GMB National Officer, said “GMB are disappointed with Metsa Wood's attitude; we had requested a meeting to try and move this issue forward on 1st April but the company responded on the 4th April confirming their position and refusing to meet to discuss. Our members are quite rightly angry; this follows on from previous pay claims where our members worked closely with the company to assist in difficult times.
The company has reached productivity targets and sickness targets have also been achieved. Shareholders have been rewarded, yet our members have once again been sold a pup. Following the industrial ballot, GMB members have made it quite clear that they have lost all confidence and trust in the company. The only way to move this forward is to meet and discuss. I am sure that they would not have taken the same attitude with their customers, yet our members are the biggest assets the company has.”
Contact: Dave Hulse on 07971 266157 or GMB press office on 07739 182691 or 07970 863411
