“Chesterfield toilet paper maker in bum deal following axing of free loo rolls” shouted the headline on the Unite news release. 

After Sidcot Group bought the mill from SCA, the new owners culled a workforce perk involving some free toilet and kitchen paper “a move which left the workforce flushed with anger”. 

The below inflation 1.5% pay increase offered by Sidcot chief executive Nigel Samuel due to challenging trading conditions also left employees feeling more than a little peeved, as such budgetary challenges did not, it seems, extend to Nigel himself who turned up at the site in a swanky Aston Martin. The age of austerity is indeed upon him! 

Unite regional officer Katie Morris said: “Unite’s long suffering workers have panned the proposed pay offer.

“Members only consider taking strike action as a last resort. However the main blockage in the negotiations appears to be the attitude of Nigel Samuel. His pleading of poverty has failed to wash with our members.”

At this rate, the workforce could well end up driving Nigel round the bend.