Workers at a flooring company in Whitefield are set to go on strike in a dispute over pay.

GMB Union Members at Polyflor, a vinyl floor covering manufacturer on Radcliffe New Road, voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action after rejecting an eight per cent pay offer from the company.

The union had asked for a 10 per cent pay rise to help its members through the cost-of-living crisis.

It says the offer from its employer also includes decreased sick pay.

GMB says 99 per cent of its members voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike and 78 per cent voted in favour of action including a strike.

Workers had planned to stop working for two hours every Wednesday until a deal with Polyflor was agreed.

But the firm has responded by planning to suspend shifts for almost 200 people from Thursday, September 1 onwards.

In an email seen by the Bury Times, Polyflor asks employees not to turn up to shifts and to wait for further updates.

As of today, September 6, no further shifts have been scheduled.

GMB regional organiser John Waddington said: “109 people rejected [Polyflor’s] offer so it was an overwhelming rejection of the company’s eight per cent pay offer.

“We told the employer we’re going to withhold our labour for two hours a week, and they responded by suspending us all.

“We want the employer to get round the table and discuss these matters with us.”

Fellow GMB regional organiser Stephen Boden added: "GMB has written to the company demanding an explanation.

"This looks like a vindictive attack on workers due to take legitimate industrial action over pay.

"GMB members are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, all they are looking for is a fair settlement of a 10 per cent - which is still below inflation.

“Meanwhile the company dishes out £24m to shareholders.

"GMB is encouraging bosses to get back around the table and enter meaningful negotiations to bring the dispute to a close."

Polyflor has declined to comment about the situation.