Industrial disputes look set to hit boiling point • A
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
summer of industrial unrest may be on the cards as two disputes over pay and conditions show signs of boiling over.
The United Road Transport Union is warning Leeds-based wine distribution firm Winerite that members may be balloted for industrial action if the company does not back down over plans to alter the working week to include Saturday and Sunday. This would end overtime payments for weekend working, says URTU, leading to a cut of about 10% in drivers' pay.
It is also unhappy that Winerite refuses to negotiate with the union, even though over 50% of its staff are URTU members. "Winerite has said that it won't negotiate with us and will never do so," says a spokesman for URTU. "But pending legislation will ensure we will soon have the automatic rights of recognition."
Failure to settle the issue will lead to a ballot for industrial action, he adds. "The guys are saying they are not going to tolerate this."
But Winerite operations director John Hastings insists that the proposals are still at the consultation stage, and he dismisses the suggestion that they would lead to a 10% loss of earnings.