Peterborough: Six Week Strike Begins

8 April 2013, 07:09 | Updated: 8 April 2013, 12:34

Workers at a firm in Peterborough, which makes bricks, will start a six-week strike today in a row over holidays.

Members of the GMB union at Hanson Brick will take action amid complaints that the company was trying to cut their holiday entitlement following a reorganisation.

Regional organiser Rachelle Wilkins accused management of reneging on a deal over the number of days the 200 workers were entitled to take.

A company spokesman said: "When we closed our Saxon works at Whittlesey in Cambridgeshire a year ago and consolidated brick production at neighbouring Kings Dyke, we took the opportunity to introduce harmonised terms and conditions of employment for all departments in the works."

"The new terms, which remain generous and are in line with industry standards, were agreed and accepted by the majority of the workforce (82%) who also accepted a one-off payment of £1,500 to compensate for any reduction in benefits."

"It is disappointing that, having accepted the compensation payment, a small section of the workforce has now changed their minds and elected to take industrial action."

"We have a contingency plan in place to ensure the factory continues to run and production is not disrupted.''