Kohler Mira staff walkout as pay dispute reaches "deadlock"

WORKERS at Cheltenham firm Kohler Mira say negotiations to resolve a pay dispute with company bosses have reached a deadlock.

More than 100 employees at the bathroom and shower design company took part in a third walkout yesterday, camping outside its base in Cromwell Road armed with banners and placards.

The workers, who are striking over a "derisory" pay increase, say company bosses have failed to listen to their demands and are threatening to step up action.

Christine Starling, regional officer for the Unite union, said: "We are in a deadlock. This is our third day of strikes and we will be discussing the possibility of upping that.

"We hope there will be an opportunity to sit down and negotiate before a decision is made, but at the moment neither party is budging an inch. Company bosses say they are disappointed workers are going on strike. Well, the workers are disappointed with their pay terms, otherwise they would not be doing it. We are determined to see this through."

Staff were offered a 1.6 per cent increase. They had no pay rise in the previous financial year.

They say the firm, which recorded profits of £21 million last year and recently signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Cheltenham Town Football Club, can afford to give them more.

One members of staff, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "Morale is at a very low point inside the company. The refusal of bosses to listen to their own workers has created a them and us situation."

Stephen Potts, 55, who has worked at the company for five years, said: "In our view, negotiating is when you sit down around a table face-to-face and listen to each other before trying to come to an agreement.

"There has been none of that so far. The company is trying to dictate terms. The situation is not beyond repair but bosses have got to start listening. If they don't there will be more strike action."

Staff representatives met company bosses last week, where they were offered an advance on next year's £400 bonus.

But of those involved in the dispute – around 10 per cent of the Cheltenham workforce – more than 90 per cent said the terms were still unacceptable.

A Mira spokeswoman said: "It remains disappointing that a small number of our associates opted for industrial action in pursuit of their pay claim. It should be borne in mind that those voting for it constitute only around 10 per cent of the total workforce in Cheltenham."

A fourth walkout is due to take place on August 11.