In pay talks, Taxi bosses tie minimalist pay offer to significant changes to workers’ terms and conditions

Unite Regional Officer, Sean Smyth, confirmed his union’s membership would be picketing outside Belfast Taxi from 8.30am tomorrow morning [Wednesday March 14th]:

“Unite represents administrative workers at the Belfast Taxi Community Interest Company, formerly known as the Falls Taxi Association.

“We entered pay talks withdrawing plans for industrial action a week ago as management appeared intent to address our members’ pay claim but unfortunately they broke up yesterday after bosses insisted on tying what was a minimal increase to significant changes to their terms and conditions. Management’s attitude towards their workforce belongs to a boss in a Dickensian novel.

“This is a shameful situation for management at a company that claims to be a socially responsible employer. We are placing pickets at Belfast Taxis base at King Street 8.30am tomorrow morning [Wednesday March 14th]. Unless bosses adopt a more conciliatory approach and make a genuine move to meet our members’ just demands, strike action is set to take place every Wednesday thereafter.

“We seek the support and solidarity of the trade union movement and the West Belfast Community in this struggle for the just demands of our members”, Mr Smyth finished.