Unite union members working at Smurfit Kappa in Northampton are to strike again this week, after two members were allegedly fired for confronting the company about contract issues.
The 108 member workers first undertook a work stoppage at the corrugated packaging company’s Northampton outpost on 1 and 2 April, in support of two senior stewards who were fired. Unite claims that the firings came after the stewards ‘stood up to the company over “race to the bottom” contracts and alleged incorrect bonus payments’.
Unite had said that it was “ready to hold talks with the company at any time”, but had so far not received a response to its offer to do so.
As such, workers will begin a four-day stoppage at 5.50am on Friday (17 April) until Tuesday (21 April). This strike will run in tandem with the month-long work-to-rule and overtime ban, which finishes on 24 April.
‘Steadfast in getting our two dismissed reps back to work’
Unite Regional Officer Mick Orpin said: “Our members are resilient and steadfast in getting our two dismissed reps back to work and have decided to escalate the action to a four-day stoppage starting [on] Friday…It is anticipated that all our members will be taking part in this escalation.
“We are still hopeful that the company will agree to meet with us and enter into positive discussions – but, at present, it is maintaining its hard line. We call on Smurfit Kappa to reinstate the two stewards immediately.”
He added that both stewards were “instrumental” in “resisting second-generation contracts being introduced into the workplace in 2014”, and “bringing a claim against the company for the incorrect payment of a bonus”, which is currently in court.
Resource contacted Smurfit Kappa, but the company said it could not comment.
The news of the strike comes amidst reports that US-based paper company International Paper is seeking to purchase Smurfit Kappa, which is estimated to be worth more than £6 billion.
International Paper is currently the largest paper pulp manufacturer in the world, employing approximately 65,000 employees in 24 countries. Smurfit Kappa currently employs around 42,000 people across 32 countries.
Find out more about Unite’s grievances with Smurfit Kappa.
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