A PLASTICS manufacturer based in St Asaph has cancelled the staff bonus scheme for members who go out on strike in the run-up to Christmas.

Despite the GMB and Unite trade unions urging Goodfish PLC to return to the table, the company is facing a staff walk-out after withdrawing from pay negotiations.

Goodfish has doubled down in the dispute with workers at the company’s St Asaph site by cancelling the staff’s bonus for the quarter up to September 2021.

The company has also warned workers that there will be no bonus leading up to Christmas.

The dispute takes place as staff asked for a pay rise after accepting last year’s freeze due to the economic uncertainty thrown up by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the global uplift, Goodfish has claimed there is no money for a pay rise this year, while at the same time advertising for new staff and offering a bonus scheme.

They also sent an email to union members this week, threatening that any misbehaviour on the picket line will be dealt with ‘in the most serious way’.

Trade union GMB has called Goodfish’s actions ‘Dickensian’ and urged the company to get back round the table before the company’s actions ‘do lasting damage’ to the workforce.

Alyn Thomas, GMB regional organiser, said: “It’s really sad that the company’s first line of fire is to try and emotionally blackmail workers in the run-up to Christmas.

“This is Dickensian. The company are threatening that there’ll be no money for the kids’ Christmas presents whilst reading members the riot act.

“It’s bad management, pure and simple. These tactics are a race to the bottom, and will do nothing to restore our members’ faith in the company.

“They should come back to the table soon, before their actions do lasting damage to the relationship with their staff that even a pay rise won’t fix.”

Goodfish has been approached for comment.