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MATALAN bosses have “lost their heads,” striking workers said after managers allegedly tried to restrict where they could picket.
GMB members on strike at the retail giant’s distribution warehouses in Knowsley, Merseyside, told the Star that local managers have been threatening court injunctions if they organise picket lines outside certain parts of the workplace.
A worker who asked to remain anonymous told the Star that staff have been picketing the gates of the company’s headquarters, which is also a entrance used by management.
However, the worker said the pickets had “hit a nerve” with management, who began “threatening us with solicitors.
“They said: ‘You can’t picket that gate,’ and gave a list of complex logistical reasons why.”
The worker added: “It feels like the company is trying to dictate to us about where we can and can’t picket.
“They’ve completely lost their heads over this. I’ve no idea what they’re playing at.”
The first stage of strike action took place last week after Matalan bosses offered a 1.5 per cent pay rise to some workers, a proposal which workers say would mean a cut in real terms.
Their picket lines have been joined by the leaders of the GMB North West region, as well as Unison regional convener Paula Barker and Liverpool Labour councillor Lindsey Melia.
Another series of of strikes begins today and walkouts will occur regularly until September 17.
A Matalan spokeswoman told the Star that the firm had “no comment” on the situation, while denying that there was any injunction in place against the workers.
