Warehouse Workers of Oxford University Press to Strike Again

Some 90 members of Unite the Union in the UK, employed at the Saxon Way, Corby, warehouse of Oxford University Press, will begin a second round of strike actions this week over the publishing house’s inferior 2010 wage offer. Members of the GPM Section of Unite staged an initial 24-hour strike on 12-13 October, following a lawful strike ballot and formal rejection of a 2.5% increase.

Last year, warehouse workers accepted a wage freeze in recognition of the financial crisis, only to learn after signing that managers, call centre workers, and admin staff of Oxford University Press had been awarded 2% increases. The 90 workers, who will soon be moved to new warehouse space at Prologis Park, Ketterling, are seeking a 2010 increase of 4.2% to offset last year’s loss.

“The company is doing well. It recorded an 8% increase in profit last year, on the back of a £500 million turnover, so our members believe they are well within their rights to ask for 4.2%,” Unite National Officer Steve Sibbald told the industry publication Printweek.

Further industrial actions are scheduled for next week on 28 October and again on 3 November. Messages of support to workers can be sent to Unite Regional Officer Kathy Brooks here who will relay all solidarity notes to striking warehouse workers.