Delivery of up to 16,000 appliances could be affected

The delivery of Indesit appliances could be “severely disrupted” after more than 200 drivers and warehouse staff at Indesit UK voted to take strike action over pay.

The workers, who are members of Unite, will decide over the next few days what form the strike action will take. They voted by 93% for strike action and 97% for industrial action short of a strike, after below inflation pay rises.

Unite said the pay offer for the year starting January 2015 was 1.5% when, at the time of the negotiations, inflation was running at 1.7%. In 2014, the pay award was also 1.5%, when the inflation rate was 2%.

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Unite members are also angry at the attack on their work terms and conditions, which sees guaranteed redundancy pay of a 45-hour week reduced to contracted hours of 37 or 40 a week, depending on individual employee contracts.

Regional officer of Unite Mark Plumb said: “Our members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action which shows the depth of anger at the below inflation pay they have had to endure in recent years which has seriously eroded their standard of living.

“This has been compounded by the management starting to attack their terms and conditions in regards to guaranteed redundancy payments.

“We will be consulting our members on what form the industrial action will take in the next few days and announcing our plans accordingly.

“However, we urge the management to get around the table to negotiate a fair and equitable settlement for the drivers and warehouse staff, especially given the strong mandate we have received from our members.

“As the drivers deliver more than 16,000 items of ‘white goods’ each week across the UK, any industrial action will severely disrupt deliveries for Indesit customers.”

Brand communications director at the Indesit Company, Ian Moverley commented:”We are disappointed by the latest announcement from Unite and remain committed to resolving the issue, encouraging them to continue discussions with our team.” 

The drivers, attendants and warehouse staff are based at: Andover; Barnsley; Chepstow; Gateshead; Grangemouth; Hayes; Mallusk; Trafford Park; Raunds; Sharpness; Wednesbury and West Thurrock.