RCL wage cut dispute spreads to Tilbury and Felixstowe depots
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A DISPUTE between
management and drivers at Roadways Container Logistics (RCL) in Southampton over wage cuts and changes to terms and conditions is spreading to other depots within the business,
Trade union Unite has confirmed a ballot for industrial action for 10 drivers at Tilbury and 50 at Felixstowe has opened and will conclude on Friday 18 June.
However, plans for 44 HGV drivers at Southampton to start late for shifts on Thursday 10 June and stage a one-day strike on Friday 18 June have been
postponed. •the announcement follows RCL's warning that a oneday driver strike on 28 May at Southampton had put the company "at risk" (CM 3 June).
CM understands the continuing threat of industrial action is in response to a proposed 9% wage cut for some employees, as well as a reduction in holiday pay from average pay to the guaranteed basic weekly rate.
Greg Vint. RCL general manager for Southampton, says: "We cannot go on indefinitely paying wages that result in our costs being higher than the haulage rates we are paid."
He says contingency plans are now in place in order to ensure there is no adverse, effect on customers, in the event of strike action.