Employees of a popular high-street chain may resort to industrial action, following changes made to sick pay.
Staff at household retailer, Wilko, which is headquartered in Nottinghamshire, took part in a consultative ballot with an outcome of 88 percent voting for strike action.
It comes after changes were introduced from February 1 to switch employees to statutory sick pay after one period of sickness absence in a year.
Wilko employees were entitled to up to four occasions of sickness on company sick pay before reverting to the first three days of sick leave unpaid.
The move has been described by the GMB Union as "grotesque" as management have been exempt from these changes.
Wilko CEO Jerome Saint-Marc said in January the company supports staff who are vulnerable, in coronavirus isolation or who have serious medical challenges.
He clarified the firm gives full pay for a period of sickness absence for any team member in any year.
But having been unable to work with its union to reduce absence, it was changing the policy to "reduce abuse of it by some team members".
He added: "Going forwards second sickness absences in a year will be covered by statutory sick pay.
"This still protects our team members and the change protects customer service and the financial health of our business.
"It allows us to invest where we should be investing in the future of Wilko and all the customers, team members and suppliers who rely on it."
But the union has criticised the decision stating the high street chain remained open throughout the pandemic including Boxing Day unlike many other retailers and workers being on minimum wage.
Roger Jenkins, GMB National Officer, said: “Wilko keyworkers are furious – and no wonder. They’ve worked through the pandemic - risking themselves and their families - dealing with a lack of social distancing, increased threats and abuse from customers.
"Now bosses have told them they’re slashing their sick pay entitlement, which management are keeping theirs. It’s grotesque.
"Wilko, a so-called family company, should be utterly ashamed of themselves.
“GMB has contacted Wilko requesting meaningful negotiation on the sick pay agreement.
“If Wilko will not negotiate then GMB members have spoken and strike action across the company will be inevitable.”
A Wilko spokesperson said: “We’re naturally disappointed with the ballot result, industrial action isn’t in anyone’s best interest at this challenging time for both retail in general and the High Street.
"We believe the right way to resolve any differences for the benefit of our customers and team members is through listening, talking and working things through together."
