The Liberal Trade Unionists would like to send wishes of support to Unite members taking industrial action at Smurfit Kappa in Northampton. The dispute surrounds the sacking of two senior stewards, who stood up to the company over 'race to the bottom' contracts and alleged incorrect bonus payments.
In addition to its present overtime ban and work to rule, Unite has announced plans for a four-day strike, to run from 17-21 April. This follows an earlier 48 hour-walkout on 1st and 2nd April which failed to get the two staff reinstated. Unite the Union said it is still hopeful the company will agree to meet with them and enter into positive discussions under the auspices of ACAS , but, at present the management is maintaining its hard line..
The sacked stewards were instrumental in bringing a claim against the company for the incorrect payment of a bonus, going back a number of years. In addition to this they were also instrumental in resisting second-generation contracts being introduced into the workplace in 2014, which would have meant new starters getting paid less than existing workers for the same job.
If it was discovered the company had paid incorrect tax, obviously there would be action taken to reclaim that money. All the stewards were doing was claiming money for their members which they should have been paid.
As Liberal Trade Unionists our aim is always to get to the root of problems. We strongly believe in a situation where union activists are sacked for simply representing their workers, a strong anti-union sentiments exist within the management at Smurfit Kappa.
In addition to standing in solidarity with workers and the sacked stewards, we fully support the unions call on Smurfit Kappa to reinstate the two stewards immediately.
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