Tape manufacturing giant Scapa faces industrial action after more than 50 workers voted to down tools over ‘unreasonable’ shift changes.
The Ashton-Under-Lyme company wants workers – who until now have either worked early or late day shifts – to work 6pm to 6am night shifts every other week.
After months of discussions, GMB Reps proposed a voluntary night shift which met the business's needs – however this was dismissed, and bosses told workers the night shifts would be enforced from the middle of June.
After a successful strike ballot, Scapa workers will walk out for the first time on Thursday 1 June from 6am to 10pm.
An overtime ban will also come into force on 1 June, lasting until November.
Stephen Boden, GMB Organiser, said:
“This industrial action is a result of SCAPA imposing a detrimental shift pattern which impacts employee’s quality of life.
“Members with thirty years of service working day shifts are being told they have to work 26 weeks of night shifts a year. It’s not reasonable or fair.
“The company rejected a voluntary arrangement to cover the night shift, which shows the utter contempt they have for a loyal workforce.
“They choose to ignore workers and put profit before people with this shift change. Workers are rightly angry.
“But it’s not too late for management to listen to workers and get back round the table with us to work out a fair deal.”
