Management proposals to cut workforce terms and conditions strongly rejected by union representatives

Unite meeting with management to seek reversal of proposals and to avert risk of disruptive strike action

March 21st: Maurice Cunningham, Unite officer for staff in Wincanton has confirmed his union has entered negotiations with management to seek the reversal of proposals to cut workforce terms and conditions:

“Wincanton have brought forward cost-cutting proposals threatening to cut workforce terms and conditions. They claim this is being forced by cost-reduction demands from their main customer, the Musgrave group.

“The proposals will see a reduction in working hours, annual leave provision, unsocial working hours payments and the removal of double-time. We estimate that most workers could lose the equivalent of five thousand pounds a year as a result.

“On Sunday, we held a very well-attended meeting with our membership to discuss our response. Following on from this, Unite has entered last ditch negotiations with management to try to secure the reversal of these proposals and to avoid the risk of industrial action which would see supplies to Musgrave shops severely disrupted.

“We have scheduled three days of talks with management to resolve this but if these proposals are not withdrawn, we will initiate a ballot of our members on strike action”, Mr Cunningham concluded.