COVID-19 Less Severe Than Influenza says Amey PLC
This was the shocking response the Private Contractor, who provides Waste Management services for the London Borough of Ealing, gave GMB London when asked to pay their workers full pay if they had to self Isolate or contracted COVID-19.
This was the shocking response the Private Contractor, who provides Waste Management services for the London Borough of Ealing, gave GMB London when asked to pay their workers full pay if they had to self Isolate or contracted COVID-19.
The provision of Refuse services are critical during the current pandemic and these essential Key workers deserve to be paid fairly by AMEY Plc for continuing to put themselves at risk whilst serving the residents of Ealing.
AMEY Plc's refusal to pay sick pay means these vital Key Workers are having to choose health or wealth.
Keith Williams- Senior Organiser said "It is not only about Refuse Workers exposing themselves to risk, it is about stopping the spread and if people only receive SSP they are unable to afford to self isolate. There are no other Key Workers facing an income of £94 per week, if by maintaining critical services they are being exposed.
There needs to be decency and morality on the part of all employers in the current crisis and AMEY are no exception. This is why many other contractors within the Public Sector have all committed to paying full pay for employees who self isolate or are suffering COVID-19.
Lots of businesses, throughout the country are in crisis and yet they are still managing to give their employees security during this unprecedented situation.
Unfortunately, AMEY want to put profit before the welfare of their employees within the Ealing Waste management Contract by refusing to pay employees who self isolate or contract COVID 19 full pay from day one."
Notes to Editor:
The response from Amey plc was "that when compared with many other diseases such as normal Influenza, the impacts on the individual are currently actually less severe" and they are therefore "applying exactly the same rules regarding sickness benefit as we would for any other condition". This is a Public Health Crisis and GMB is disgusted that any employer can be adopting this position, especially when they receive taxpayers money to provide a service.
Contact:
Keith Williams, GMB London Regional Officer 077 1063 1339
GMB London Region Press Office 079 7001 9643
