Unite, the UK’s largest union, has welcomed the decision of the management at the 3M factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to reverse their previous pronouncement and allow workers to enjoy a Christmas holiday.

3M, which makes respirators and dust masks, was labelled a ‘Scrooge employer’ by Unite after telling workers that for the first time in living memory they would be expected to work on the three days between Christmas and new year.

However this week in an about face, possibly following a visit from the ghost of Christmas future, management has relented and said there is now “no operational requirement” for the majority of the workforce to be in work over the festive period (with just a handful of volunteers present).

Management had threatened to cancel Christmas after Unite members at the plant rejected a 1.5 per cent pay increase for 2017. The proposed pay increase is half the inflation rate and follows a series of below inflation pay increases in previous years.

The union is currently balloting its members for strike action in the pay dispute. The ballot closed on Wednesday (13th December).

Unite regional officer, Mark Sanderson said: “Our members will be pleased and relieved that they will not be required to work between Christmas and new year for the first time in living memory.

Having seen reason on Christmas working we now need the employer to see reason on the pay increase, return to the negotiating table and make an offer that the dedicated workforce will be able to accept.

“Our members have seen pay rates eroded over recent years and are simply not going to accept cuts in pay any longer.”

3M Reply

A 3M spokesman has refuted there is any link between the discussions with employees over pay increases and the plant’s business requirements for the working days between the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“The production requirements for the December period have been reassessed since the original forecast back in mid-October – as is standard manufacturing practice – and it is no longer necessary for as many production lines to be operational during the Christmas and New Year period,” he explained.