'Amazing' Wincanton result

Strikes at B&Q’s national distribution centre in Worksop have come to an end after Wincanton workers accepted a pay deal worth 10.75 per cent.

The deal, negotiated by Unite, means the 450 Wincanton employees will now return to work at the site from Sunday after having been on strike since November. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said, “Our members at Wincanton in Worksop have achieved an amazing result because, with the strength of their union behind them, they refused to back down.

“For workers wanting to know how they can improve their jobs, pay and conditions in these increasingly difficult times, they should look no further than Unite’s members at Wincanton whose solidarity during the strike was key to this win.”

The one year pay deal means the warehouse workers will receive 6.75 per cent backdated to July as well as recognition and bonus payments, which means the workers will receive the equivalent of a 10.75 per cent pay rise.

Unite regional secretary for the East Midlands, Paresh Patel, added, “This pay rise was achieved because our members turned up day after day on the picket line and held strong.

“It is a result that will surely stick in the throat of Worksop MP Brendan Clarke-Smith, who told our members they would be better off cancelling their Unite membership and accepting the original deal of four per cent. It wasn’t Brendan Clarke-Smith or the Tories who stood up for decent working class people in Bassetlaw, it was Unite the union.” 

By Ryan Fletcher