Unions accuse docks rail firm of ‘vendetta’ (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Unions accuse docks rail firm of ‘vendetta’
10:20am Friday 30th July 2010 in
-
- By Gareth Lewis » Business Editor
TENSIONS are rising in the row over sackings at docks rail transport firm Freightliner, with bosses there being accused of a “vendetta” against union reps.
A second strike ballot is under way at the firm after Freightliner succeeded with a legal challenge to the first, which was passed by “almost 100 per cent” of members.
Union leaders are calling for a “show of strength” to underline workers’ unhappiness over the sacking of an RMT Union representative and two other RMT members.
They were among six sacked in June in what the RMT says is a row over the misuse of a company vehicle, although three were later reinstated.
However staff told the Daily Echo that the dispute centred on workers storing rubble on the Millbrook Point Road site for use as hardcore in a friend’s patio.
An RMT statement said: “RMT is clear that the dismissals are a culmination of what can only be described as a vendetta against the local union representative and his colleagues.”
One member of staff, who did not want to be named, said: “People are not happy, not happy at all, because they sacked the union rep and he’d been protecting staff.
“These people don’t deserve it. Their lives have been ruined and it’s affecting their families. It’s an absolute outrage.”
RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said: “Instead of management seeing sense and taking the necessary steps to resolve this dispute they chose to challenge the legality of our previous ballot using the anti-trade union laws.
“RMT says that enough is enough. We demand that the company immediately and fully reinstate our representative and his colleagues back into their substantive posts. Furthermore, we demand that the company agree to enter into meaningful discussions with RMT to review the procedure in respect of disciplinary action against our reps.
“RMT’s executive is calling for a massive YES vote by our maintenance engineer and crane fitter members employed by Freightliner for strike action and industrial action short of a strike. A show of strength is what we think is needed to get management back around the table to resolve these issues.”
No one from Freightliner was available to comment.
Comments(4)
rafa b
says...
10:47am Mon 2 Aug 10
MaximumAdrian wrote:The ballot to strike is lawful, and members get a private postal vote, to make a decision. If work colleagues stick together and support one another, then good luck to them. To be sacked seems to be extreme, when other measures could have been used, its clear the company is anti Union, and wants rid of them. We seem to be going back in time, when no one had work rights and people treated like dirt!
If the three sacked workers have such a strong case why not take their employers to Court? . Perhaps they know that they broke their employment conditions and should be sacked. To strike and deny other rule abiding workers of their pay is a travesty and makes these marxists look even bigger fools than usual.
MaximumAdrian
says...
5:19pm Mon 2 Aug 10
rafa b wrote:The strike may be lawful but the motive is wrong.
MaximumAdrian wrote: If the three sacked workers have such a strong case why not take their employers to Court? . Perhaps they know that they broke their employment conditions and should be sacked. To strike and deny other rule abiding workers of their pay is a travesty and makes these marxists look even bigger fools than usual.The ballot to strike is lawful, and members get a private postal vote, to make a decision. If work colleagues stick together and support one another, then good luck to them. To be sacked seems to be extreme, when other measures could have been used, its clear the company is anti Union, and wants rid of them. We seem to be going back in time, when no one had work rights and people treated like dirt!
.
Proper disciplinary procedures are being followed - and that includes the various verbal and written warnings and processes. The procedures are backed by trade unions throughout the country.
.
So why on this occasion does the union decide not to follow them? Is it because the union man is implicated?
rafa b
says...
9:02pm Mon 2 Aug 10
MaximumAdrian wrote:the motive is the wrongful and unjust sacking of 3 men,which is reasonable for it to be trade dispute within the law. The point is they could have had a verbal/wriiten warning and not sacked!! The only reason for the sacking, is to get rid of the RMT Rep. The union has represented them via agreed procedures, but the company has chosen to take hard line bullying approach and sack them. This is why members have asked the union to ballot them, and the now the result awaits.
rafa b wrote:The strike may be lawful but the motive is wrong. . Proper disciplinary procedures are being followed - and that includes the various verbal and written warnings and processes. The procedures are backed by trade unions throughout the country. . So why on this occasion does the union decide not to follow them? Is it because the union man is implicated?MaximumAdrian wrote: If the three sacked workers have such a strong case why not take their employers to Court? . Perhaps they know that they broke their employment conditions and should be sacked. To strike and deny other rule abiding workers of their pay is a travesty and makes these marxists look even bigger fools than usual.The ballot to strike is lawful, and members get a private postal vote, to make a decision. If work colleagues stick together and support one another, then good luck to them. To be sacked seems to be extreme, when other measures could have been used, its clear the company is anti Union, and wants rid of them. We seem to be going back in time, when no one had work rights and people treated like dirt!
More Hampshire Business stories
- Glimmer of hope for future of pub
- Final curtain for man who saved theatre
- Ed visits city in jobs boost campaign
- British Gas call centre goes face-to-face
- Flybe sales lifted by Finnish joint venture
- Taxi trade survey 'flawed'
- Prince backs jobs bid
- Ice cream firm moves into new £2.4m home
- Dickensian fundraiser
- New head chef at Botley Park Hotel
Unions accuse docks rail firm of ‘vendetta’
Most popular
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
MaximumAdrian says...
10:07am Mon 2 Aug 10
.
Perhaps they know that they broke their employment conditions and should be sacked. To strike and deny other rule abiding workers of their pay is a travesty and makes these marxists look even bigger fools than usual.