STANDFAST workers in Lancaster have voted for industrial action in protest to new contracts, it emerged this week. Negotiations broke down at a series of meetings between members of the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) and management last Thursday despite calls for greater co-operation. From next Monday employees will refuse to work extra hours to cover absenteeism, sickness and holidays causing severe disruption at the start of the summer.

They reacted angrily to the new annualised contracts which include compulsory overtime. Many feel the extra hours will eat into their weekends and deprive them of quality time with their families.

Peter Reid, regional textile trade group secretary for the TGWU, said industrial action is expected to last indefinitely until a new deal can be agreed.

He told the Citizen: "The workers are genuinely and thoroughly upset about the changes which have been imposed upon them. Industrial action will cause disruption especially if a lot of people are off at the same time."

Workers opted against all out strike action because they feared it would endanger jobs. Even so, the current conflict will put a further strain on industrial relations at the Caton Road dyers and printers company.

"It is very unfortunate this has happened. It is not in the best interests of our members but we have no choice. I would have preferred it if we could have resolved the problems through negotiation and agreement," added Mr Reid.

Bosses at Standfast say industrial action could jeopardise more than 280 jobs at the company. Chief executive Tony March said they already had too few workers.

"The problem it is going to give us is quite serious. Everyone knows the size of our order books and we're already pushing our customers over the edge with later than scheduled deliveries, "explained Mr March who said the first half of business this year was better than they had expected. "If customers take their business elsewhere we will lose out. It's a very disappointing situation."

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