News

On 20th June, over 250 members of the UNI UK affiliate unions Unite and the GMB took strike action during their dispute over wage negotiations. After rejecting a miserly 2p an hour wage offer from the ISS UK management, the unions sought to engage the company in arbitration talks.



The company responded by saying they would only attend on the basis that the unions accepted that there was no more funding available for any negotiated increase. The unions rejected these self-defeating pre-conditions. Nevertheless, talks took place, but, again the Company refused to budge on its offer.



Although the first day of union action was successful, it attracted an expensive strike breaking operation by the company. This included paying an incredible fifteen pounds an hour to RAF staff who were paid 3 full days work, board and lodging to work during the strike, some transported in from over 400 miles away.



The 2 unions claim that this is a breach of the Company`s European Agreements to respect trade union rights. The matter will be raised in the European Parliament by MEPs who support these low paid workers.



Please see:



http://www.unitetheunion.org/news/employerinbussingrowtobreak8panhourstrikeatrafstations/

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/strike-at-8-raf-stations

http://www.gmb.org.uk/newsroom/£15-per-hour-to-strike-break-at-raf-royal-event