The City of London Corporation’s GMB members to be balloted for Industrial Action
Workers reliant on handouts employed at some of the capital’s attractions want proper consolidated pay award from wealthy employer
After a lengthy pay dispute GMB members at some of the capital’s major attractions including Old Bailey, the Port Health Authority, Hampstead Heath, Tower bridge and Barbican are set to strike. The City of London Corporation’s final pay offer was overwhelmingly rejected by GMB members. On Thursday 12th January GMB members will be issued with a ballot paper for industrial action.
GMB members have demonstrated at several sites operated by the Corporation, including the Barbican, Tower Bridge, and Guildhall during this pay dispute, resolute in their commitment to ensuring their demand is heard.
Anna Lee, GMB London Region Organisers said:
"Our members are struggling with day-to-day costs, relying on food banks, benefits, and borrowing money just to survive as is happening across the country in the Public sector.
“Employers offering employees a one-off payment is not a substitute for consolidated year-on-year increases. What our members are seeking is a fair and consolidated pay rise, from the employer that is one of the richest authorities in the country, an award that recognises their hard work and the ever-increasing cost of living.
“Wages in the Corporation have fallen so far behind that people cannot afford to continue working for the Corporation and are leaving in significant numbers, resulting in extra work being placed on the remaining staff. This situation will not improve, and new staff will not be recruited without a proper pay award.”
One GMB member said:
“I will definitely be voting for strike [action]. It has got so bad that I can just about afford to get into work. I’ve worked in the Corporation for over 15 years and it used to be a good place to work and you did feel valued and respected. But now they just treat the staff so badly, they don’t respect us or value us and having to rely on handouts is humiliating and degrading.”
For more information please contact Anna Lee on 078 7017 6720.
