British heritage label Barbour had managed to put an end to its employee
strike at its Gateshead wares in Northern England,
after negotiating changes concerning staff working contracts on Tuesday.
Following discussions carried out at the conciliation service Acas,
employees have agreed to accept Barbour’s launch of a two-shift system at
the warehouse, which according to the wax jacket producer, is necessary to
“maximize the warehouse facility,” and to keep up with the label’s growth.
The Unite trade union, whose members had been striking, added that the new
deal included a “substantial increase in pay” as well as flexible day
working hours for employees with family and care obligations.
The new working shifts now run from 7:00 to 15:00 and 14:30 to 22:30. “The
industrial action has been difficult for everyone as we have historically
enjoyed very good relations with our staff,” commented Brenda Readman-Bell,
finance and IT director at Barbour. “It is essential we have the
flexibility to manage the business to the good of our entire workforce and
the acceptance of the new deal is indicative of the company’s determination
to be fair in order to achieve this satisfactory outcome for all.”
The strike first began January 5, and saw 70 Unite union members striking
from 7:30 am to 1 pm, Monday to Friday, in protest to the new requirements
introduced by Barbour which removed unsocial hours payment and added
working hours until 11 pm on alternate weeks. Staff are set to return to
work on Wednesday.