Clarks has denied allegations that it has been illegally employing agency workers to cover staff at its warehouse in Somerset who are currently taking industrial action.
Workers at the shoe retailer’s Westway warehouse in Street are continuing to strike amid a 'fire and rehire' policy they say will reduce pay and conditions.
A spokesperson for the trade union Community said it was aware of a number of employment agencies advertising for temporary workers at Clarks.
Clarks has told BusinessLive it has maintained the same number of agency workers that were working at the beginning of the strike, fully within the law.
A Clarks spokesperson said: “Right throughout this period of industrial action, Clarks has been acting according to the law. Clarks is not using agency workers to cover employees who are on strike.
“Clarks continues to be in regular communication with Community and since the start Clarks has offered to make details of agency worker numbers available to them to provide reassurance.“
According to a report by the BBC, Community has complained to the Government over one particular case, where an agency worker was employed by Clarks as a general worker but was then seen driving a forklift usually driven by a permanent member of staff on strike.
It is understood the Clark’s considers this an isolated operational incident which was stopped when it came to the attention of senior management, with teams reminded of their obligations with regard to agency workers and the strike.
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Clarks has said Community has reviewed all of its records on agency staff it has provided and it has not received any official complaint from the union.
A Government spokesperson said: “The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate investigates all relevant complaints that it receives and takes them very seriously. However, we cannot comment on individual cases.”
A spokesperson for Community said: "We are continuing to investigate further wrongdoing and will appeal this with the relevant agencies wherever it may be found.”
Last month more than 100 Clarks staff walked out over a 'fire and rehire' policy the company said would help protect the future of the firm, which was founded in 1825.
It comes after Clarks posted a record loss during the pandemic of £180m for the last financial year, with a £600m drop in revenue - down 45%.
A Clarks spokesperson told BusinessLive on Monday (November 8): “Half of Westway employees have now accepted the new terms and conditions, and we remain hopeful for a constructive conclusion in due course.”
A spokesperson for Community said: “The terms that Clarks are attempting to force on their employees, seeing some lose between 15% and 20% of their annual income, will lead many into financial destitution and even homelessness.
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“This would not be the solution. The workers want to work and want the company to succeed. We urge Clarks to come back round the table with us and find a solution that is agreeable for all.”
Earlier this week Clarks announced chief executive Victor Herrero would be stepping down after less than a year in the role to to take on “broader responsibilities' ' within its parent company, Hong Kong-based private equity firm LionRock Capital.
LionRock Capital completed a takeover of Clarks earlier this year following a £100m rescue deal.
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