A two month strike between Clarks and 100 of its workers has ended, after coming to an agreement.
The shoe store’s head office is based in Street in Somerset.
Staff downed tools on October 4th, and accused Clarks of planning to reduce their wages to £9.50 an hour, which would have been a drop of about 15 percent.
They said Clarks had been firing workers and rehiring them on a lower wage.
The deal with the Community union, which follows mediation with Acas, is understood to protect hourly pay for established workers and increase pay for new staff at the site.
Statement
A statement to HR Review from Community and Clarks said: “We are pleased that a resolution has been reached that works in everybody’s interests, protects Community members’ livelihoods, and recognises their loyalty to Clarks. Following an indicative ballot of Community members it is confirmed that normal working has now resumed.”
The union and Clarks thanked Acas for mediating and helping achieve an amicable resolution to the strike.
It’s understood the deal will protect hourly pay for established workers and a higher pay for new workers.
How will the brand move forward?
A majority in Clarks was bought out in March; it is now owned by a Hong Kong private equity firm, Lion Rock, and the former Chinese Olympian, Li Ning.
The strike hasn’t been Clarks’ only controversy in recent years and there have been suggestions it lost around £172 million between January last year and the start of this year (2021). Reports say sales fell by 44 percent.
It’s been reported £100 million was put into the business by the new owners, but experts suggest it will take at least a year before Clarks – a British staple for 200 years – is able to turn around its fortunes.
Feyaza Khan has been a journalist for more than 20 years in print and broadcast. Her special interests include neurodiversity in the workplace, tech, diversity, trauma and wellbeing.
