Overtime ban in place
The strike action will be followed by a series of 48-hour discontinuous stoppages to limit production and deliveries accepted.
Unite, the union, said workers at the company, which is owned by the billionaire Hinduja brothers, are paid below the industry standard.
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Hide AdUnite regional officer Richard Bedford said: “The decision to strike is never taken lightly, especially in the current climate, but our members have reached the end of their tether with Optare’s point-blank refusal to honour its word.”
But Optare, which is based at Sherburn-in-Elmet, said it had put in place contingency plans to maintain production and to deliver orders.
Through the Covid crisis, the firm has furloughed workers on 100 per cent of their pay.
Graham Belgum, chief executive, said: “A rolling programme of stoppages and strike action during the Covid pandemic whilst we prepare for the turnaround of Optare to put the business on a firm financial footing is unhelpful.”
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