AN IKEA store in Glasgow is facing a strike after a campaign was launched by workers to reinstate a union representative sacked for warning staff of cuts to terms and conditions.

Richie Venton, an Usdaw rep at the store, was forced out by furniture bosses after warning staff of planned changes to workers’ rights, which will see many relying on statutory sick pay if they have coronavirus or have to self-isolate.

The Morning Star understands that Mr Venton was sacked last month, with further roll-backs of workers’ terms and conditions, including sick pay and holiday entitlement, to be introduced next week.

Meeting on Monday, fellow Ikea workers  condemned the decision and claimed the company had used the “disciplinary process to hide the facts of their actions.”

The Usdaw branch said Mr Venton “has always put the welfare of workers first,” warning that if their demands are not met strike action could be brought forward. 

The members added: “We demand that Ikea immediately reinstate Richie Venton to his job and to his position as our elected union representative and stop their cuts to our rights and conditions.”

An online campaign has been launched to reinstate Mr Venton, demanding Ikea stops “endangering workers’ lives” for the sake of profit.

Mr Venton is also a member of the Scottish Socialist Party, which has come out in his defence.  

An SSP spokesman said: “This has got serious issues, both for Richie himself, public health and union work. 

“We fully support Richie and are wholly behind him. We want to stress, this is going to become a growing problem.

“This is an attack on Richie, the trade unions and the rights of workers more widely.”

A spokeswoman for Ikea said workers and trade unions have been included in discussions around changes to conditions, and that the company cannot comment on individual cases.
 

She added: "We remain committed to the new policies which will allow us to put the health and wellbeing of our co-workers in greater focus in the future.”