Garment production workers at one of the world's most famous clothing manufacturer continue their series of industrial actions, including strikes after bosses rejected their demand for a 2.5% pay increase. 85% of the membership voted for industrial action up to and including strike, work to rule and a refusal to pass on work to sub-contractors for completion.
The McKinnon Mills in Coatbridge, near Glasgow is the production base and a subsidiary of Edinburgh Woolen Mills, and kitted out the UK and European golf teams for this summer's Ryder Cup.
130 production staff, mainly skilled women earn £5.69 an hour and the vast majority are organised in COMMUNITY union. The workers have had only 3 pay increases in the last 10 years.
Sales staff at the factory's small retail outlet were awarded a 2.5% pay rise this summer. These workers are non-unionised, mainly part-time. Members of the union were offered 1%.
Elaine Smith, Labour MSP for Coatbridge has stood on the picket line in solidarity with the strikers and called for management to give the workers what they are due. Even more heartening is news that postal workers are refusing to cross the picket line to deliver mail. A magnificent gesture. Shoppers are refusing to enter the sales outlet when the strikes are on, many saying they could never cross a picket line. One worker with decades of service, claims the poor wages mean that "…we are down 20% in wages in the last 10years".
Willie Patterson, COMMUNITY Scottish Regional Secretary said, "Our members have no desire to take industrial action. They are disgusted that a supposed reputable company are acting in such a way. Our members aren't asking for a King's ransom. Edinburgh Woolen Mills claim McKinnon Mills is a loss-making company, yet the main customer of McKinon is Edinburgh Woolen Mills itself. This is merely an accounting sham".
