Forklift drivers employed by Lockwood Haulage walkout over disgraceful union busting

Forklift drivers employed by Lockwood Haulage at the Ardagh Glass bottle factory in Knottingley will strike over union recognition.

The forklift drivers were previously employed by GXO before transferring to Lockwood Haulage in March after the company took over the Ardagh Glass contract.

GXO had a longstanding recognition agreement on collective bargaining with Unite, which Lockwood is refusing to honour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Lockwood Haulage is union-busting plain and simple and Unite will not tolerate it. The forklift drivers at Ardagh Glass will receive Unite’s total backing for as long as it takes.” 

The workers will strike on 18 and 21 July. Industrial action will continue to escalate until the dispute is resolved.

The strikes will severely impact Ardagh’s operations as the company will not be able to load bottle onto trucks for delivery to clients including Diageo, InBev, Coca Cola, Heineken and Highland Spring.

Unite regional officer Phil Boyes said: “The disruption that will be caused to Ardagh Glass is entirely the fault of Lockwood Haulage’s disgraceful anti-union behaviour. GXO had a long-standing agreement with Unite and this dispute will continue to escalate until it is honoured by Lockwood.”

ENDS  

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.