Westex Carpet strike reaches two month mark

Westex carpet strikers outside the Cleckheaton factory

Members of Unite at the Westex Carpets factory in Cleckheaton are about to reach the two month mark in their ongoing dispute over pay. The strike began on November 20th after workers rejected a minimal pay rise which was then withdrawn by the company, which has since refused further dialogue.

Iain Dalton, West Yorkshire Socialist Party organiser

Dave, shop steward at the factory told us “The company are sourcing yarn from outside company’s to bypass a large part of the production process and have now started to employ staff to fill in the gaps left by the members on strike.

“This however has not diminished the resolve of the workers on strike and we remain absolute in our goal of seeking a fair and just pay increase.”

The wider trade union movement must be mobilised in support of the strikers. One way of increasing the profile of the dispute would be to organise a march and rally in support of them.

In the meantime, trade unionists should keep donations coming into the strike fund.

Account name – TGWU
Account number – 20175407
Sort code – 60/83/01
Reference – WESTEX STRIKE FUND