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Vol. 73/No. 47      December 7, 2009

 
UK workers strike
against drug store giant
 
BY PAUL DAVIES  
SOUTH ELMSALL, England—“We’ve stayed solid for two weeks,” said Steve Benn on the picket line at the Superdrug distribution center here. “The company did not think we would have the bottle. They underestimated us and thought we would cave in.” Benn, a senior shop steward, is one of 261 members of the UNITE union who have been on strike since November 4 against cuts in shift allowance and other changes to working conditions.

“The company says it has to cut the shift allowance to save our jobs—that’s not true—it’s to save them money,” Benn added. “Some workers would lose nearly £2,000 a year by elimination of the shift allowance (£1= US$1.66). They also want to change our shifts so we have to come in any day, anytime.”

In solidarity, workers have supplied wood for the fire by the picket line. “The local butcher provides meat for the picket line barbecue,” noted Benn. “Others are watching this strike. If Superdrug wins, other companies will go after working conditions.”

Benn, who use to work at Frickley colliery, was one of three former miners on the picket line. “They have threatened to sack workers who don’t go back,” he said. “I was out for 12 months in 1984-85 [during the nationwide miners’ strike], so I am used to this.” He described how 25 workers are dispatched from the picket line every day to leaflet Superdrug shops across the United Kingdom, talking to customers and shop workers, explaining why they are on strike.

“There are 30 workers from Poland at the plant,” Benn stated. “All are in the union and some have joined teams visiting the shops.”

Workers are now discussing a new offer from the company. The details were not made available.
 
 
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