Whirlpool staff set to vote on strike action

Workers at Peterboroughbased white goods maker Whirlpool UK Appliances are to vote on strike action in a dispute over pay.

Officials of the Unite union say the ballot of its members will take place over the next three weeks and follows a 2.5 per cent pay increase offer by bosses.

They say if staff vote in favour of strike action it could hamper Whirlpool’s repair, installation and maintenance of household appliances across the UK.

They say the offer for the pay year beginning January 1, 2022 is ‘insulting’ as it comes as the RPI rate of inflation hits nine per cent inflation and company profits rose 250 per cent to £12,040,000 in 2020.

Whirlpool makes and distributes a range of kitchen and laundry appliances under the brands including Hotpoint, Indesit and Whirlpool, and employs about 1,200 people at its premises in Morley Way. Unite members deliver, install and repair domestic appliances across the UK, from depots at various locations but with all of the work managed through the contact centre in Peterborough.

Sharon Graham, Unite general secretary, said: “Whirlpool’s pay offer is a pay cut.

"This is totally inexcusable from a business whose profits have rocketed by 250 per cent.

“Our members’ hard work generated Whirlpool’s vast profits.”

A Whirlpool spokesperson said: "We have offered a competitive package which includes a range of additional payments on top of the referenced base. We believe that this is a sustainable offer given the operating context for our business as it is for all businesses."

The offices of Whirlpool UK Appliances where staff are to be balloted over strike action