Tartan Army

Workers at one of the world’s leading manufacturers of authentic tartan has secured an inflation-busting pay rise thanks to the hard work of the union and reps.

Around 70 workers at Lochcarron Mill in Selkirk will see they pay increase rising by up to 6.7 per cent, and with inflation currently at around 3 per cent, this means a real-terms pay boost for the dyehouse labourers, winding and production operatives alongside darners, weavers, and tuners covered by the deal. 

Lochcarron Mill is one of the few remaining textiles weaving mills in the Scottish Borders, and the pay rise is also important for the local economy in general.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite has successfully negotiated an excellent pay rise for Lochcarron Mill workers. This will see a significant boost to jobs, pay and conditions for workers in the Scottish Borders.”

Unite industrial officer Pat Egan said: “The Lochcarron Mill workers are highly skilled and they produce unique products for domestic and international markets. It’s a pay rise which is worthy of their talents and Unite is pleased to have secured this deal for them.”

The pay rise for workers at Lochcarron Mill comes only weeks after Unite won an historic victory, and significant pay rise, for another group of skilled textile workers, this time in Gloucestershire at WSP.

Weaving in Scotland has a long history of workers standing up for their rights and every year in Glasgow trade union members remember the Calton Weavers and their struggle.

By Keith Hatch

Image by Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images