Vi-Spring staff strike continues into its fourth day in Plymouth
WORKERS at a Plymouth bed manufacturer were set to strike for a fourth day today amid uproar over the dismissal of a colleague.
A total of 37 employees walked out of work at Vi-Spring, in Ernesettle, yesterday, with union bosses warning industrial action could stretch to the end of next week.
They are demanding the reinstatement of Jimmy Dent, a GMB union shop steward dismissed from the firm this summer.
Workers from different sections of the firm have been walking out since Monday in a staggered strike following a GMB members' vote last month.
The Herald understands side stitchers refused to work yesterday, with a different section made up of slightly fewer workers set to continue the action today.
Many have been sporting specially-made T-shirts bearing a picture Mr Dent's face – and mounting photographs of him on railings opposite the firm's headquarters.
Stuart Fegan, GMB organiser for the South West, said there had been no progress in the union's bid to resolve the dispute through talks with Vi-Spring chiefs.
He said: "All the members we expected to withdraw their labour yesterday did, and a different section will be out today .
"This is obviously causing a fair bit of disruption to the company."
Vi-Spring says it cannot predict the financial impact of the strike action – but admits it 'risks damaging the business'.
The GMB says Mr Dent was dismissed for insubordination after arranging a routine visit by GMB officer Kevin Mason on July 1.
But a Vi-Spring spokesman told The Herald last night the shop floor visit in question was "not a typical occurrence".
She said bosses agreed to the tour on the condition managers could accompany the group.
"Mr Dent failed to comply with this reasonable request," she added. "By disregarding company regulations he was dismissed for gross misconduct."
Mr Dent and his colleagues have refused to comment for fear of prejudicing a possible future tribunal.
But former boss Julian Taylor, who worked alongside Mr Dent at Blue Circle cement, described him as a "hard-working and respectable" member of the team for nearly 20 years.
Mr Dent would work unpaid overtime, take on extra duties and train staff, he said, and was "not an agitator".
Mr Taylor added: "I'm not at all surprised to hear his workmates are standing up for him."
Mr Fegan, who described Mr Dent as "extremely popular and well-liked", has branded his dismissal "a disproportionate and draconian decision", estimating the firm could lose up to £500,000 over two weeks.
In August the union failed to convert the dismissal into suspension on full pay.
Last month Mr Dent was told an internal appeals procedure had upheld the company's decision.
An application has been made for an employment tribunal to hear the case.
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by Fred, plymouth
Monday, October 11 2010, 10:31PM
“I worked at clarks and we took strike action against them it got us no where they closed the factory. I know some of the staff went down to vi springs and got a job , so getting one factory closed was,unt good enough your going for the second, when your finished down there please dont come to BQ for a job.”
by anon, plymouth
Saturday, October 09 2010, 11:06PM
“I work at vi springs and i am in the union but i dont agree with the strike action , but i feel that i have to do it because thats what the vote was,a lot of the staff feel pressurised into taking strike action because they dont wont to lose face and afraid of reprisals.we should be more worried about losing are jobs , we have already lost our bonus which was about £50 a week , what else are we going to lose ?”
by Swedish Chef, Norway
Saturday, October 09 2010, 9:25AM
“.... I've been self employed for most of my working life.
I chose not to grow my business because of hassle with employees
I can start another business now and hire up to twenty people full time and part time.
I choose not to because of hassle from employees.
I really cannot understand why anyone would want to start a business and then get ruled by a bloody bunch of trumped up people that expect a job to be handed to them for life
Unions kill entrepreneurs
Bork Blimmin Bork”
by anon, plymouth
Saturday, October 09 2010, 9:18AM
“I have a friend who works at vi srpings who is a union member. He feels sorry for jimmy but cant understand why the shop steward who should know all the laws and what can happen to you if you go against company requests has put jimmy in this position and walk around the factory resulting in jimmy getting the sack . The GMB got him the sack so they should be the ones that try and get his job back . All the GMB is doing now is putting all there members jobs at risk ! for there mistakes .I hope the shop steward in question also looses his job .( we all know the answer to that you wont be seeing him down the dole office will you ???? ) you all have a well payed job with a company that is doing well in this hard time . Its about time some of you put your familys and morgage first and not your so called mates , who are bullying you into taking strike action . they wont buy your kids xmas presents and keep the roof over your head. Let the union fight for jimmys job because if they lose they will still have a job at the end of it, but will all of you have a job at vi spring after all the strike action ????”
by mike, plympton
Friday, October 08 2010, 11:38AM
“Dave i have a job thanks, and not at vi-springs. Working with some of the most under privillidged and forgotten people of this great society of ours. However if i did work there. I to would be on strike, and backing this gentleman, and standing up to be counted. Unlike you with your narcissitic attitude. The world of im alright jack sickens me!!!! But each to their own. I am a GMB member, and proud to say so!!!! The full time officers and our reps work tirelessly. To ensure we have jobs with safe conditions and that we are not victims of harrasment or poor practice. Remember NO shop steward is paid for what they do. They do it to give something back to their colleagues, and society in general. Its up to you if you want to play at tory boy! But dont slate people for having the balls to stand up for what is right! MUPPET!!!!!! Sorry was that a bit harsh?”
by Jack, Waterfront
Friday, October 08 2010, 9:56AM
“@ John, Plymouth
Phew! I just escaped then. Born in the South Hams
Ding Dong Cheer Up and Carry On”
by John, Plymouth
Thursday, October 07 2010, 11:54PM
“Low pay
poor conditions
rubbish contracts
temporary jobs
No ambition
no balls
Grovelling brown noses
Janners the race of apathy and subservience you get what you deserve”
by Matt, Not Plymouth
Thursday, October 07 2010, 11:21PM
“Hey Rick, you asked a question, you got an answer. I figured that there was no point in giving an explanation to someone who has apparently already made up his mind about the issue.”
by Rick O'Shay, zog
Thursday, October 07 2010, 9:23PM
“@Matt - yes, it was.
With a riposte like that you are clearly a master debater.
;-)”
by Danny, Saltash
Thursday, October 07 2010, 8:22PM
“So who are all these people Dave H? Instead of being on here you should contact them and get them to contact Vi Spring. There are plenty of jobs for those with the unique skills required by Vi Spring. Although I wonder why all these people with the necessary skills havent applied before. Perhaps they dont actually exist.
Oh for the days when we could work children for 12 hours a day in our factories, send miners to their certain death, or watch our wives die from fossey jaw. . Bl*****y unions!”