GMB ACCUSE KIER OF BLACKLISTING AGENCY WORKERS ON CORBY CONTRACT WHO COMPLAINED ABOUT TWO TIER WORKFORCE
Kier seem to have learned no lessons from being in the High Court today over blacklisting construction workers says GMB
GMB has accused Kier of blacklisting agency workers who have been stopped from working on Kier Street Scene Services contract in Corby because they raised a protective disclosure through the grievance process for unlawful deductions of wages and parity pay.
This has happened as there is a further hearing in the High Court in London on 14 July seeking compensation for GMB members blacklisted by construction employers including Kier.
GMB has accused Kier of blacklisting agency workers who have been stopped from working on Kier Street Scene Services contract in Corby because they raised a protective disclosure through the grievance process for unlawful deductions of wages and parity pay.
This has happened as there is a further hearing in the High Court in London on 14 July seeking compensation for GMB members blacklisted by construction employers including Kier.
The claims were served by law firm Leigh Day for GMB members on 27th November 2013.. Last October GMB held a protest outside Keir to shame Paul McCreath, Human Resources Director and Kathy Almansoor, Group Employee Relations Manager for their part in blacklisting 155 construction workers. See notes to editors for copy of GMB press release.
Rachelle Wilkins, Regional Officer, said “These GMB members very rightly raised a grievance with Kier Director, Andy Smith, over not receiving parity pay with permanent employed employees.
The three agency workers have been paid ￡7.00 per hour whilst their Kier work colleagues whom they worked side by side with have been paid ￡8.72 per hour. They were advised through their Agency after informal local discussions with Rebecca Taylor, Area Business Manager at Kier, that they would be paid the parity rate in May this year. However, only a few days later Kier reneged on the agreement.
The members were left with no option but to raise a formal grievance on Monday 22nd June 2105. On Tuesday 23rd June the grievance was passed to Smart Solutions by Jeremy Morrison, Kier HR, requesting that they deal with it. On Wednesday 24th June my members turned up for work as normal only to be told that they were not required. This has never happened in two years of working for Kier through the Agency, they have worked consistently for Kier.
We believe that our members have been victimised for raising their grievance and fighting for fairness and parity of pay. What lessons have Keir learned? Kier are in the High Court today over blacklisting workers. This comes after the ICO seized the consulting association database of 3,213 blacklisted construction workers.
GMB will not allow Kier to treat our members this way. We will fight tooth and nail for justice for these Agency workers.”
The three agency workers have been paid ￡7.00 per hour whilst their Kier work colleagues whom they worked side by side with have been paid ￡8.72 per hour. They were advised through their Agency after informal local discussions with Rebecca Taylor, Area Business Manager at Kier, that they would be paid the parity rate in May this year. However, only a few days later Kier reneged on the agreement.
The members were left with no option but to raise a formal grievance on Monday 22nd June 2105. On Tuesday 23rd June the grievance was passed to Smart Solutions by Jeremy Morrison, Kier HR, requesting that they deal with it. On Wednesday 24th June my members turned up for work as normal only to be told that they were not required. This has never happened in two years of working for Kier through the Agency, they have worked consistently for Kier.
We believe that our members have been victimised for raising their grievance and fighting for fairness and parity of pay. What lessons have Keir learned? Kier are in the High Court today over blacklisting workers. This comes after the ICO seized the consulting association database of 3,213 blacklisted construction workers.
GMB will not allow Kier to treat our members this way. We will fight tooth and nail for justice for these Agency workers.”
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