MATALAN workers in Merseyside have gone back on strike after the collapse of “pointless” negotiations.

Warehouse workers at the retail giant’s premises in Knowsley went back to the picket lines yesterday morning after negotiations between management and the GMB fell through late on Sunday.

Employees at the site have rejected the 1.5 per cent pay rise offered by the company, saying that it represents a cut in real terms. 

As a result, senior management have started working in the warehouse to tackle the backlog of orders.

GMB senior organiser Neil Holden said: “The talks we held were completely pointless.

“They seemed more interested in crowing about much our members were losing whilst out on strike, which was frankly insulting.

“Wasting hours of dispute resolution time by trying to point-score with no intention to settle the dispute is just hardening our members’ resolve.”

Matalan had not responded to requests for comment at the time of going to press.