Barbour face disruption as staff plan fresh strike

BARBOUR, the iconic British clothing brand famous for its wax jackets, which have become a fashion item in recent years, is facing a four-week strike by warehouse staff in Gateshead that could hit deliveries to department stores during the New Year sales period.
The clothing brand are well known for their jackets. Picture: Ian RutherfordThe clothing brand are well known for their jackets. Picture: Ian Rutherford
The clothing brand are well known for their jackets. Picture: Ian Rutherford

Alex Flynn, head of media and campaigns at the Unite union, said yesterday that about 70 members from the 130-strong workforce at the Gateshead plant were prepared to strike from 5 January if the union could not reach a negotiated settlement over new contracts at the 120-year-old firm.

Warehouse workers at Barbour held a one-week strike before Christmas over the contracts, which involve the removal of payments for unsocial working hours and the requirement to work until 11pm.

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Flynn said: “The staff have played an important role in ­ensuring Barbour is the success it is, and a degree of flexibility is required on the employer’s ­behalf.”

Barbour has previously said it was offering a “substantial pay increase” in return for the changed working practices, ­according to reports.

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