24/05/2016
Strike Action Ballot Opens At Pizza Factory In Nottingham
Workers at the 2 Sisters owned Pizza Factory in Nottingham started voting on Monday, 23 May, over possible strike action in a dispute over an outstanding pay claim for 2015.
Unite the union which is balloting 440 members on the site, has accused the company of trying to bully staff into signing away their terms and conditions in exchange for a non-negotiated pay deal, in a blatant attempt to undermine the union’s legitimate industrial action ballot.
Workers were left distraught after they were pulled into a ‘pay brief’ with senior management when the union official was off site and told of the company’s plans to slash overtime, weekend working, bank holiday and sickness cover pay rates in a move which could cost them hundreds of pounds a month.
Unite understands that 2 Sisters is planning to cut overtime, weekend and holiday pay and make changes to shift patterns to offset the costs of the government's new national living wage.
Unite has told the company in no uncertain terms that any changes to workers’ terms and conditions will need to be negotiated separately from the pay deal which is now 10 months overdue.
Unite regional officer Andy Shaw said: "2 Sisters management has behaved appallingly towards its loyal workforce, stoking up fear and damaging industrial relations without good reason.
"Unite submitted its pay claim back in September, seeking a modest 3.1 per cent pay increase, but rather than honour the annual pay anniversary the company has been refusing to negotiate.
"Sadly the company has form having delayed making a decision on the 2014 pay award by nearly a year.
"The company had no right pulling our members into a ‘pay brief’ at such short notice. Our members were left deeply shaken after being threatened with the ultimatum of accept cuts to your conditions or risk losing your job.
"It is no way to treat a loyal and hardworking workforce. Our members work around the clock making pizzas 24/7 for some of the country's biggest supermarket chains, including Tesco and Marks & Spencer.
"Any attempts to cut workers' overtime, holiday and weekend pay to offset the government’s new national living wage or to impose changes without negotiating with the workers' union will be strenuously challenged by Unite."
The industrial action ballot opened on Monday 23 May and closes on Monday 6 June.
Unite the union which is balloting 440 members on the site, has accused the company of trying to bully staff into signing away their terms and conditions in exchange for a non-negotiated pay deal, in a blatant attempt to undermine the union’s legitimate industrial action ballot.
Workers were left distraught after they were pulled into a ‘pay brief’ with senior management when the union official was off site and told of the company’s plans to slash overtime, weekend working, bank holiday and sickness cover pay rates in a move which could cost them hundreds of pounds a month.
Unite understands that 2 Sisters is planning to cut overtime, weekend and holiday pay and make changes to shift patterns to offset the costs of the government's new national living wage.
Unite has told the company in no uncertain terms that any changes to workers’ terms and conditions will need to be negotiated separately from the pay deal which is now 10 months overdue.
Unite regional officer Andy Shaw said: "2 Sisters management has behaved appallingly towards its loyal workforce, stoking up fear and damaging industrial relations without good reason.
"Unite submitted its pay claim back in September, seeking a modest 3.1 per cent pay increase, but rather than honour the annual pay anniversary the company has been refusing to negotiate.
"Sadly the company has form having delayed making a decision on the 2014 pay award by nearly a year.
"The company had no right pulling our members into a ‘pay brief’ at such short notice. Our members were left deeply shaken after being threatened with the ultimatum of accept cuts to your conditions or risk losing your job.
"It is no way to treat a loyal and hardworking workforce. Our members work around the clock making pizzas 24/7 for some of the country's biggest supermarket chains, including Tesco and Marks & Spencer.
"Any attempts to cut workers' overtime, holiday and weekend pay to offset the government’s new national living wage or to impose changes without negotiating with the workers' union will be strenuously challenged by Unite."
The industrial action ballot opened on Monday 23 May and closes on Monday 6 June.
Related Northern Ireland Recruitment News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 January 2015
Union Seals Better Pay Deal For Woolwich Ferry Workers
A strike by Woolwich Ferry workers has been averted after Unite the union secured a better pay deal for the workforce, and persuaded ferry operator Briggs Marine to abandon threats to tear up long-standing agreements.
Union Seals Better Pay Deal For Woolwich Ferry Workers
A strike by Woolwich Ferry workers has been averted after Unite the union secured a better pay deal for the workforce, and persuaded ferry operator Briggs Marine to abandon threats to tear up long-standing agreements.
03 July 2017
Mears Manchester Workers To Begin Strike Action
Unite the union has announced a dramatic escalation in strike action as part of a long running dispute with private contractor Mears and joint venture company Manchester Working (operated by Mears) over pay differentials and attacks on terms and conditions.
Mears Manchester Workers To Begin Strike Action
Unite the union has announced a dramatic escalation in strike action as part of a long running dispute with private contractor Mears and joint venture company Manchester Working (operated by Mears) over pay differentials and attacks on terms and conditions.
13 January 2015
London Bus Workers Go On Strike
Picket lines were in place across London's 70 bus garages as over 20,000 bus workers working for 18 bus operators take part in a 24 hour strike to end unfair pay disparities across the capital’s bus network today, Tuesday.
London Bus Workers Go On Strike
Picket lines were in place across London's 70 bus garages as over 20,000 bus workers working for 18 bus operators take part in a 24 hour strike to end unfair pay disparities across the capital’s bus network today, Tuesday.
18 September 2014
DSG Workers To Ballot For Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, as the group faces being sold off to the private sector next year.
DSG Workers To Ballot For Industrial Action Over Pay Dispute
Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, as the group faces being sold off to the private sector next year.
13 August 2013
Serco Employees In Pay Dispute
Serco workers on Ministry of Defence (MoD) contracts at three Lincolnshire RAF bases will be deciding on the next steps this week in their campaign against a paltry 1% pay offer. More than 100 employees, members of Unite, at the Cranwell, Scampton and Digby bases started an overtime ban on Friday 9th August.
Serco Employees In Pay Dispute
Serco workers on Ministry of Defence (MoD) contracts at three Lincolnshire RAF bases will be deciding on the next steps this week in their campaign against a paltry 1% pay offer. More than 100 employees, members of Unite, at the Cranwell, Scampton and Digby bases started an overtime ban on Friday 9th August.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.