The
strike at Bernard Matthews’ plant in Norfolk has been called off following the
withdrawal of company plans to extend the working week from four days to five.
The
Transport & General Workers’ Union said that the scrapping of the shift
changes, a 3 per cent pay rise and a 1 per cent increase on pensions
represented the best deal which could be achieved.
“It
has taken a long time but we feel vindicated in the stand we have taken for our
members and the rest of the workforce,” said Peter Medhurst, regional
industrial organiser.
“Our
key aim throughout this long drawn out affair was to see the shift changes
scrapped. We have achieved that key aim and won a pay and pension rise,” he
said.
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The
strike action and overtime ban were due to have started on 19 July. Workers
across the production sites had protested that extending the working week would
add to their cost of living and said they preferred to work four days.
