Dudley factory workers stage third walkout over production target dispute

Workers at Dudley brickmaking factory Glen Dimplex have walked out for a third time as a dispute with their employer over working conditions continues.

Employees at the site in Coopers Bank Road, Gornal, downed tools again this week after two previous three-day walk outs.

Frustrated workers returned to the picket line on Tuesday morning for three further days of strike action in protest over imposed changes to their working conditions which have been branded a risk to their health and wellbeing.

Labour MP Sonia Kumar, Member of Parliament for Dudley, has been supporting the workers who have been hit with a 50 per cent rise in production targets.

She said “no worker takes the decision to strike lightly” - especially during a cost-of-living crisis - and she added that she hoped the dispute can be resolved and “an agreement can be reached which protects workers’ rights, safeguards jobs and provides certainty for the future”.

Stuart Perry, regional organiser at the GMB Union which is representing the workers, said: “It is disappointing that the employer is not willing to move just a little bit to build in more breaks away from the machine that is predominantly causing the issues.

“The workers want to ensure their welfare in later life is protected and then leave work with a decent enough health to enjoy retirement.”

He said workers would be back out on strike again on Wednesday (July 8) and Thursday (July 9), and union reps are set to meet with ACAS (Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service) on Monday (July 13) to try to find a resolution to the dispute.

Bosses at Glen Dimplex, an international manufacturing and solutions business - which specialises in low carbon electric heating and ventilation, have been approached for comment about the matter but have declined to talk to the press.