Unions To Seek Reversal On Pay Freeze

The recognised trade unions at VT Group met at BECTU's headquarters in Clapham, London, this week to discuss the group's proposed pay freeze.
The unions are appalled at the Chief Executive's message to staff announcing that despite record profits in 2009 of £108million, VT does not intend to award a pay rise to staff this year.
Furthermore, the unions are dismayed by the Chief Executive’s edict on pay in a business that consists of numerous contracts and many separate collective bargaining units.
"The refusal to negotiate pay with representatives in the individual bargaining units threatens to seriously damage industrial relations across the group," a spokesperson for the unions said.
The unions will be meeting with VT's Human Resources Director, Richard Gartside, on 31st March to demand that VT reverse the decision on pay and allow negotiations to proceed on an individual contract basis.
In the absence of a change of approach from VT and a recognition that hardworking staff deserve their share of record profits, the unions will continue to campaign against the pay freeze and will consult with members on further action.
The unions also expressed concern at the implications of the takeover of VT by Babcock. The takeover is likely to result in rationalisation, office closures and job cuts in order to achieve savings of £50million by 2013.
The unions will be demanding clarity from both VT and Babcock on the impact of the takeover on members’'terms and conditions, pensions and future job security.
(BMcN/BMcC)