UK: Matalan warehouse workers strike following ongoing wage disputes & owed back pay; Includes company comments
In August 2019, GMB Union members at a Matalan distribution centre in Liverpool began a strike following an ongoing row over pay.
Workers voted to walk out after management made an offer which would see around 25% of employees who work on weekends receive a pay rise of 1.5%. This was described as an "insulting pay offer".
Workers also had concerns that a pay rise, agreed in April, did not come into effect until July, meaning workers were owed back pay of £135. According to workers, Matalan wanted this to be self-funded, and asked workers to give up their extra bank holiday as part of the deal.
A spokesman for Matalan stated the majority of staff would receive a 4.7% pay increase and that the offer was the 'largest our company has ever offered'.
In October 2019, the strike was suspended, after Matalan and the GMB brokered a new deal, accepted by 87% of staff in a ballot.
More company comments can be found in the articles below.