Staff at metal processing company NSK in Newark strike with trade union Unite the Union over working hours and work-life balance

Employees at a metal processing company are taking part in a three-week strike over working hours.

Employees of an NSK department, at Newark are striking over working hours and work-life balance.

Strikers were joined by members of Unite the Union, which had been cooperating with NSK over proposals for better working conditions.

The regional officer for Unite, Mr Andy Shaw, said this was an ongoing issue for employees.

He said: “The employees have been involved in a dispute for two years over working hours and a work-life balance.

“A policy was introduced in 2015, which determines the level of hours the employees are required to work.

“An additional ten hours a week of work was brought in as well as compulsory working over the weekend.

“This reduces the amount of family time.

“The employer tabled some motions but they hadn’t gone far enough so employees are taking action.”

Employees have been taking part in an overtime strike since January.

The full strike started on Monday and is due to last until March 26..

Mr Shaw said: “We have tabled proposals that would resolve the dispute and we put it to the employer last Tuesday.

“It wasn’t any different from the proposals they tabled, there was just a change in wording.

“We are yet to receive a response.”

Of the 50 department members, 24 are on strike.

One employee said: “Three or four years ago we went on strike about working overtime.

“In our current roles we have compulsory over time but are only paid a single rate.

“But it’s not about the money for us it is about extra time taken away from our families.

“We have to work six hours on either a Saturday or Sunday on top of our 50-hour working week.

“If you can’t swap your shift with someone then it’s counted as an absence as you’re not allowed to book weekends off.”

An NSK spokesman had not responded to a request for a comment before the Advertiser went to press.