100 GMB members stage sit-in as Dewsbury bed manufacturer faces administration

Earlier this week it was announced that employees at the Dewsbury-based bed and mattress manufacturer, Kozee Sleep Beds Ltd, could soon find themselves without a job after KPMG joint administrators were assigned to review the business.

Many of these employees, 100 to be exact, are members of the union GMB, and as they go into a second week without wages nor any confirmation as to when payment will be received, they are staging a sit-in.

The protest, which is currently ongoing, is taking place at Kozee Sleep’s headquarters at Ravensthorpe in West Yorkshire

Uncertainty over wages arose as KPMG’s Joint Administrators began its review of the business’ financial situation and current position, to determine its options for the future. All of Kozee Sleep Beds’ 180-strong staff have been notified about potentially being made redundant and sent home from work.

Neil Cole, GMB Regional Organiser, said “About 100 workers are currently in “no man’s land” in respect to knowing what the future holds for them, after the hostile appointment of receivers. They are going into the second week without wages, and no reassurance as to when they will receive any pay.

“With bills to pay, mouths to feed and families to provide for, this is a real picture of Britain’s working families being failed.

“GMB will fight for justice for our members and ensure wages are paid as soon as possible, however we are not in a position to say when, which is a particularly distressing situation for our members.

The administrators have advised that they will be holding an update meeting next week but what are these people to do in the meantime?“