South Elmsall Superdrug strike action enters its second week
SOUTH Elmsall warehouse workers who have downed tools over proposed changes to their contracts have entered the second week of strike action.
The employees from Superdrug's national distribution centre, on Stadium Way, have vowed to stay on the picket lines until further notice.
The proposed changes include different shift pay – which Unite The Union has said would leave some workers out of pocket by more than 2,000 – and cuts to overtime payments and sickness entitlement.
Superdrug is also asking for the power to change and schedule shifts with only seven days' notice and wants the workforce to opt out of the 48-hour European Working Time Directive, a health and safety measure brought in to prevent employers from forcing workers into doing excessive hours.
The action is being supported by Hemsworth MP Jon Trickett and South Elmsall and South Kirkby district councillors Wilf Benson and Harold Mills.
Local butchers Voddens is supplying meat for the picket lines, and workers from other businesses on Dale Lane Industrial Estate have supplied wood for the picket line fire.
John Evans, regional officer for Unite, said: "The strike is going very well and the workers are getting a lot of support from the people. We have a national officer involved as well, who is also trying to speak to Superdrug. We will be striking until further notice."
One mum-of-four, whose partner was striking, said her family was receiving only 30 a day from the union as a result of Superdrug's actions.
She said: "I contacted the Job Centre to find out if we were entitled to anything as I don't work and they told me there is nothing they can do at all because the workers have put themselves in this situation. We have four children and 30 a day is not going to suffice."
A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions, which runs the Job Centre, said people involved in trade disputes were unable to claim Jobseekers' Allowance but could be eligible for Income Support in certain circumstances.
A Superdrug spokeswoman said: "Superdrug is making no job losses and continues to be keen to reach a satisfactory conclusion in order to meet our objectives of protecting operations in these uncertain times and safeguarding jobs for the long term."
For information about making a claim for support, see www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
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