Workwear factory staff to strike over pay

More than 50 staff will walk out at the Birmingham site, Unite the Union said

More than 50 workers at a national supplier of work and protective wear are to walk out over pay, a union has said.

Unite members at Johnsons Workwear in Birmingham rejected a 2.8% pay offer and opted to strike on the next four consecutive Fridays.

The union claimed staff on the factory floor earned £12.38 per hour and that, taking into account the current inflation levels, the offer represented "a real terms pay cut".

Parent company Johnson Service Group (JSG) said it respected the right of employees "to participate in lawful industrial action" and was committed to "a fair and sustainable resolution".

Johnsons Workwear provides clothing to manufacturing, engineering, healthcare, automotive and food industry sectors, according to its website.

The Birmingham site is on Aldridge Road, in Perry Barr.

'They won't stand for this'

Unite regional officer Andy Taylor said JSG "made millions in profits" while staff earned "barely above minimum wage", which is currently £12.21 per hour for workers over 21.

"Our members do hard, laborious and repetitive work on the factory floor, in often difficult conditions," he said.

"[They] won't stand for this any longer and will be making their voices heard on the picket line."

Meanwhile, JSG said in a statement it was committed to "maintaining a safe and respectful environment" for all staff, including those not participating in the action.

"The company is taking appropriate steps to ensure that its operations remain safe and there is no disruption to its customers and the wider community," the statement added.

"Throughout this process JSG is committed to upholding applicable legal requirements and to engaging in good faith, constructive, dialogue with union representatives with the aim of reaching a fair and sustainable resolution."

The walkouts are taking place on 26 September, 3 October, 10 October and 17 October.

In addition, a ban on overtime for union members came into place on 18 September.