Lynx staff vote on pay dispute
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by Sally Nash and David Craik • Staff at parcels firm Lynx could be heading for industrial action over pay and conditions as the company this week unveiled a range of services to celebrate its new independent status.
About 850 Lynx staff are being balloted for industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.
Lynx, which was bought by its management earlier this month for £26m, has offered a pay rise of 3%, but it has refused to improve holiday entitlement. Staff get 20 days annual leave, with another day after 10 years' service.
The RMT is branding the total package of terms and conditions offered by the company as "pathetic".
"The message we are getting is that members strongly support a move for industrial action," says a spokesman for the RMT.
But Lynx managing director Philip Rose hits back at this suggestion: "I fervently believe the ballot will come to nothing," he says. Lynx is still in talks with the union with a meet ing planned for tomorrow (20 June). The ballot will close on 1 July.
This week Lynx outlined plans for a 09:00hrs nextday delivery service, the introduction of a "Throughthe-Night" delivery service and a national Same-Day delivery network.
About eight out of every nine RMT members at Exel Logistics Fashionflow, which operates a dedicated operation for Marks & Spencer, have voted in favour of industrial action.
The row centres on a pay offer of 3% which is conditional on changing agreements for drivers and warehouse staff.
The RMT has asked to meet the company again.