Union and bosses in row over site access
company that there would be no impact on production.
Andrew Aldwinkle, GMB full-time official, said: “All we want to do is work with the company to make sure it’s a success so that in turn our members reap some of the benefits.
“However, because the company are refusing us access we are now having to engage with our members at the factory gates. This is not an effective way to conduct union business and does very little for promoting a good industrial relationship.”
He said: “For the last year we have tried to get some regular access to speak to members which is my role as regional organiser. The company have used every excuse to not allow me in. They have persistently refused.”
Mr Aldwinkle said the intention was to talk to employees when they came to the canteen – not BUILDING owners and businesses are being urged to open up their free space to volunteers, groups and organisations.
Comoodle, the community sharing project run by Kirklees Council, is looking for 100 new “shares” of space for its online platform which also showcases how people can share ”stuff” and “skills.”
Building owners and firms can put any type of available space on the site – from space to advertise in a window to offering a small meeting room or an entire venue. The facility can be offered completely free or made available for a small fee or donation to charity.
Hundreds of “shares” already under way via Comoodle’s website include advertising facilities at community centres in Honley, to interrupt production.
Tom Ellis, managing director of the family firm based on Silver Street, Aspley, said the company “has not changed anything” regarding its relationship with the union.
GMB officials were “absolutely” allowed on site to meet shop stewards or management while shop stewards were allowed to attend union courses.
He said: “We abide by our statutory duties to meet with the union as we always have done whenever they request to do so and allow them to meet with their shop stewards whenever they request.”
The company, which was founded in 1891, designs and manufacturers furniture for a wide range of retail, corporate and commercial clients including schools, hotels and kitchens at its 200,000sq ft factory. Netherton and Emley, storage space at Huddersfield’s Queensgate Market and a parking space at a council depot in Dewsbury.
Craig Grimes, a volunteer trustee at The Civic, Slaithwaite, who is looking at how the community facility can be part of the scheme, said: “We have to support the most vulnerable within our society. We have to support poorer people, younger people, older people, disabled people and these groups have to give back and support each other.”
Clr Graham Turner, Cabinet member for resources, said: “Community groups are incredibly important to the people of Kirklees and anything businesses and other groups can do to support them is really appreciated.”
For more see www.comoodle.com