Barbour face disruption as staff plan fresh strike

The clothing brand are well known for their jackets. Picture: Ian Rutherford

BARBOUR, the iconic British clothing brand famous for its wax jackets, which have become a fashion item in recent years, is facing a four-week strike by warehouse staff in Gateshead that could hit deliveries to department stores during the New Year sales period.

Alex Flynn, head of media and campaigns at the Unite union, said yesterday that about 70 members from the 130-strong workforce at the Gateshead plant were prepared to strike from 5 January if the union could not reach a negotiated settlement over new contracts at the 120-year-old firm.

Warehouse workers at Barbour held a one-week strike before Christmas over the contracts, which involve the removal of payments for unsocial working hours and the requirement to work until 11pm.

Flynn said: “The staff have played an important role in ­ensuring Barbour is the success it is, and a degree of flexibility is required on the employer’s ­behalf.”

Barbour has previously said it was offering a “substantial pay increase” in return for the changed working practices, ­according to reports.

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