Coffinmakers at Co-op’s only UK factory in Scotland to go on strike in pay dispute

Coffinmakers at the Co-op’s only manufacturing facility in the UK are set to take strike action in a row over pay, bringing production to a “complete stop”.

About 50 workers at the factory based at Bogmoor Place, Glasgow, have rejected a pay offer which their union Unite said was a “real-terms” pay cut.

The offer from Co-op is “less than half” of the latest estimate of inflation according to the retail price index (RPI), at 12.3 per cent.

Unite would not confirm what the Co-op’s pay offer was.

Coffin makers at Co-op's only UK factory, situated in Glasgow, are going on strike. Picture: John Devlin

Employees will walk out from October 31 every day until November 7 when action will conclude.

Members previously voted for strike action by 96 per cent on an 86 per cent turnout in August.

Co-op Funeralcare is one of the UK’s biggest funeral directors.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Co-op trades on being different to bad employers; it should not be proposing a real-terms pay cut for their Funeralcare workers, especially when they can well afford to pay fairly.

“We will fully support our Co-op members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Willie Thomson, Unite industrial officer, said: “Co-op Funeralcare have left our members with no option, but to take strike action as they have failed to table an acceptable wage offer.

“We have given negotiations every opportunity to resolve this dispute, but the Co-op are failing to recognise the cost-of-living crisis.

“Unite’s members are sending a clear message by taking strike action that the wage offer is unacceptable, and they are determined to fight for a better wage deal.”

The Co-op has reassured people the strike will have “no impact” on their ability to support bereaved families, and they have a strong supply of coffins available.

A spokesperson said: “Our colleagues at our Glasgow coffin factory are a hugely valued part of our Co-op and following ongoing discussions with Unite we are disappointed that we have not been able to reach an agreement about pay.

“In spite of the difficult trading environment, we have offered all of our colleagues at the coffin factory a fair pay increase. We are confident that the combined base pay and production bonus for roles within the Coffin Factory remain highly competitive.”

The strike action comes as a senior union leader launched an angry attack against the UK Government and called for a general election amid the continuing political turmoil.

Frances O’Grady, general secretary of the TUC, pledged to fight plans to introduce further legislation on taking industrial action, as unions continue to hold strikes in growing disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

Addressing her final TUC Congress before stepping down, she said: “Some say Liz Truss must go. I think they’re wrong.

“This whole rotten Tory Government must go. The Tories are toxic. It’s time for change.

“We need a general election now.”

She told delegates at the conference in Brighton that Jeremy Hunt may be the new Chancellor, but it was “the same old story”.

Ms O’Grady said the cap on bankers’ bonuses was being lifted as public sector workers were having their pay driven down and benefits were being cut, describing it as “Robin Hood in reverse”.