DRIVERS BALLOT ON STRIKE OVER TGWU DERECOGNMON
Page 8
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Miles Brignall • Drivers working for Southampton-based Pitter Bros Transport are being balloted on whether to take industrial action following a decision by the company to derecognise the Transport & General Workers Union.
The company has written to its 20 drivers to change their contracts and has effectively told them that it will no longer bargain with the union over pay and conditions.
TGWU regional organiser Jennie Sandle says that until now the union has had a good relationship with the company—even negotiating pay cuts in the past when times were bad. "It's with a heavy heart we are taking this action but we have to try to safeguard our members' conditions," she says.
Company managing director Derrick Pitter says the firm can no longer afford the estimated 23,000 in extra payments to staff attending union meetings: "We've always paid better than local rates but we only get paid the same as everyone else," he says. "We must be the one of the last companies in the area to recognise the union— I've now asked the drivers to form a works committee instead."
Sandie disputes Pitter's cost claim and says he has refused to even meet her to discuss the situation.
At the end of February the company made five drivers and two office workers redundant, blaming declining rates in the Southampton area and generally poor trading conditions.