Strike produces acceptable offer

Workers employed by Matthew Clark drinks wholesaler have voted to accept an improved pay offer which was made after they took industrial action in August.

A total of 21 drivers and drivers’ mates based at Runcorn, members of the URTU road haulage and distribution union, had taken strike action and carried out a work to rule after negotiations failed to result in an improvement on the offer of 2.5% annual pay increase plus an extra day’s holiday this year.

A series of further walkouts was planned, but then the offer was improved. “After the one-day strike the employer agreed to bring forward a guaranteed bonus to be paid in 2012 and for it to be paid upfront,” URTU regional officer Dave Swan told Workplace Report. “We also got an agreement to discuss workers’ rotas, planning and other issues.”