Unite resists managements attacks on member’s terms and
conditions at Spirit Group
1 August 2008
Unite the union has branded Spirit Groups proposals to replace
employees terms and conditions with one single set as ‘totally
unacceptable’.
At the moment there are 27 different employment contracts but
merging them in the way the company has suggested would mean lesser
terms and conditions for many of the workforce.
Part of the overhaul includes slashing benefits for those on
long-term sick from 12 months to just 13 weeks on full pay whilst
management qualify for 52 weeks at full pay and 26 weeks at half
pay.
Whilst backing off from the original plans to increase manager’s
working week from five days to six it is clear that they are still
being expected to work unacceptably long hours.
They also plan to terminate maternity and paternity entitlements
and instead will offer only the statutory minimum even though the
number of managers likely to qualify for these benefits are
minimal.
Jennie Formby, Unite National Secretary said: “Unite has been
meeting with the company on the back of the report that has gone
out as many of their proposals are unacceptable. Unite has
given its detailed response to the company on these and all other
issues and has made it clear to them that we will do everything in
our power to ensure we protect our members’ hard-won
conditions.
“Unite has seen its membership at Spirit Group significantly
increase over recent weeks and will be making further
representation over full recognition and collective bargaining
rights.”
Spirit Group is owned by Punch Taverns.
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For further information contact:
Jody Whitehill, Unite Press Officer on 020 7420 8938 or 07768
693956
