A four day strike due to start on Friday 17 April, at corrugated packaging company Smurfit Kappa in Northampton, has been suspended.
A suspension has been called to allow the appeals of two sacked senior stewards, who are also members of Unite, to be heard on Friday.
There will then be a meeting of Unite’s 108 members on 19 April to discuss the outcome of the appeals.
Unite regional officer Mick Orpin said, ‘The four day strike scheduled from Friday is suspended to allow the appeals of the two stewards, whose treatment by management is at the centre of this dispute, to be heard.
‘There will be a mass meeting on Sunday to discuss the result of the appeals. Obviously, if the appeals fail, the strike remains very much on the cards. However, we are hopeful of a successful outcome, so we can rebuild relations with the company for the benefit of all.’
Unite members have already taken two days of strike action on 1 and 2 April in support of their two dismissed colleagues who stood up to the company over ‘race to the bottom’ contracts and alleged incorrect bonus payments.
Unite members voted by 60% for strike action and 73% for action short of a strike over the dismissal of the first steward and the suspended second steward, since sacked.
