STRIKING workers at a Manchester flooring factory have been laid off as part of a “vindictive attack” by bosses, GMB said today.

About 200 staff at the Polyflor factory in Whitefields are due to down tools today after the union rejected a below-inflation pay offer from the company, which is a leading manufacturer of vinyl floor coverings and forms part of an international corporation.

But ahead of the industrial action, management told every striking worker “not to turn up for your shifts as process shifts for process workers continue to be suspended,” according to GMB.

Regional organiser Stephen Boden said that the union had written to the company demanding an explanation.

“This looks like a vindictive attack on workers due to take legitimate industrial action over pay,” he said.   

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

The workers staged a protest rally last Thursday and are due to hold a joint demonstration with striking Royal Mail staff tomorrow.

Polyflor has four factories and depots across Britain, but Whitefields is the only unionised site among them.

The firm was contacted for comment.