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Drivers dumbfounded by Bibby's 'extra' pay offer
Page 5
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• by Dominic Perry Drivers on Bibby Distribution's contract with beer giant Budweiser say they are baffled by Bibby management claims of an "extra" 2.5% pay rise and are threatening to strike over the issue.
The drivers, who mainly work from Bibby's Bicester depot, say they are completely dumbfounded by the suggestion (CM 22-28 May) and are unaware of any such rise. Pay slips seen by CM support the drivers' case that all they have been given is a basic 2.5% salary increase, which has been the case for the lasttwo years.
Last week the company said: "In addition to that agreed for 2003 two years ago, the company has voluntarily paid a further 2.5% on salaries. There was no obligation on the company to do that."
Meanwhile the company has admitted that this statement was misleading but as CM went to press it was unable to clarify it.
In another development, warehouse staff at the site have come out in support of the drivers, claiming their efforts over the past year have not been recognised.
One warehouseman blasts: "They wanted to save money on warehousing and we helped them out in every single way and this is how they say 'thank you'." In particular they point to the depot's KPI figures—a whole percentage point above the company's target. Another employee comments: We are supposed to been a very good wage for the area yet we all know that the drivers across the road are on 225,000. Other companies pay shift money— they are willing to pay drivers more if it means they can cut their agency costs."
Drivers say they have offered to work more flexible shifts, thus reducing agency use, providing they are rewarded for it. However, under the firm's annualised hours system all days are treated the same. Another employee comments: "Under annualised hours it seems that my one reason for living is to work for Bibby—the wife and family don't exist.
"When it came in we were told that it was so you could spend more time with your family—but they can call me in whenever they like."
Drivers belonging to the URTU union, which the company controversially does not recognise at Bicester, have been balloted over whether they are prepared to take industrial action.
• ileminic.perrygrbi.co.uk