Carpet factory strike plans put on hold, for now

Workers at a Northern Ireland carpet factory have agreed to put their strike action on hold and enter into talks with management.

Despite bosses at the InterfaceFLOR plant in Craigavon, Armagh having recently warned that by downing tools the carpet makers could be placing their jobs at risk, the 85-strong workforce has stressed that it is still willing to take industrial action.

The workers at the Northern Ireland factory are unhappy that their colleagues at the carpet firm's Halifax site have been give a one-off payment of £500 in lieu of a pay-rise this year, while they have not.

However, the Belfast News Letter has now reported that the workers have agreed to suspend their action and allow their union representatives to engage in talks with the management of the American-owned InterfaceFLOR next week.

"We're hoping that Monday will bring some meaningful talks under the Labour Relations Agency and that the company can put its best foot forward to try and resolve these issues," the wool carpet factory's management were quoted as stating.

This comes as the British Bankers Association (BBA) has reported that mortgage approvals across the UK were up at the end of last year, with this news likely to be welcomed by the carpet industry.

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