Workers from Barbour’s Gateshead warehouse are on four weeks of strike action against the imposition of changes to their terms and conditions.
On Friday 9 January around 100 strikers and supporters from the FBU, Unison, BFAWU bakers union and others participated in a march to Barbour’s South Tyneside HQ.
One of the strikers commented that support for the strike was outstanding. He went on to say that Barbour management keep saying that the workers have been dragged into this action by Unite the union. Today’s demo clearly shows this is not the case.
On the march the unions banner stated: “Family values not Barbour’s values”. This is in response to the company’s website where they boast of being a business that honours “our Barbour family values”.
Strikers at the warehouse said: “We’ve had these values preached to us over the years.”
Many of the strikers have worked for the company for years, and feel shocked at the changed attitude of this “family orientated” company.
Gary Heaney, Unite shop steward, made the point that until recently Barbour’s was regarded as a decent company to work for. However, he went on to say: “Now it feels all of a sudden it’s about profit before people.”
Strikers also commented that in Barbour’s advertising it often showed families, albeit rich families, wearing their jackets. But if the changes go ahead it would have a detrimental effect on the workers’ family life. Gary commented: “We would go from working to live, to living to work.”
The main issue for the strikers is that Barbour are wanting to change shift patterns. Currently shifts run from 7.30am (or 8.30am) until 3.30pm (or 4.30pm). But Barbour want workers to have a two-shift system. A dayshift between 6.30am and 3pm, and a backshift between 2.30pm and 11pm.
This has stunned the workforce, particularly because the industrial estate is in a really isolated location, with extremely poor public transport links. Workers who have raised issues around the safety of staff having a 15 minute walk along a desolate road in the dark were told by one of the company’s directors: “At the end of the day that’s not our problem.”
Barbour are also attempting to impose a system whereby workers would be paid for 39 hours per week, but only work 37.5 hours. The excess hours would be banked, then at Barbour’s discretion workers would be pulled into work when needed. This would mean the workforce being compelled to work weekends without any additional overtime pay.
In taking four weeks of industrial action Barbour strikers are showing they are serious about fighting these proposed changes.
Send messages of support to Gary Heaney: 07414 945 640
Donations to Unite – 55 Call Lane, Leeds. LS1 7BU. Cheques made payable to Unite the Union (clearly marked as a donation for the Barbour Dispute).
