Hundreds of workers from Co-operative Funeral Care will stage a one-day strike on 24 October and will also refuse to work overtime following an industrial action ballot over long hours and low pay.
Staff voted for strike action having rejected a pay rise of 3.5 per cent. The overtime ban will come into force on 22 October 2004.
The GMB union, which represents the strikers, accused the management of failing to address issues raised on pay and hours.
GMB national secretary Phil Davies: “Funeral workers want fair pay, but they also want respect from their employer – and for the Co-op to recognise that funeral workers are committed professionals who do a very difficult job in unique circumstances.”