GMB members ready to strike over pay dispute with CBRE at Heathrow
GMB members working for CBRE property maintenance at Heathrow and Gatwick willing to take industrial action over pay dispute
Our members are the people who do the graft, they are the people that generate the amazing profits that CBRE have seen in the last 2 years and they are the people who deserve to share in the profits, says GMB London
90% of GMB members working for CBRE Property Maintenance at Heathrow and Gatwick airports have said they would be willing to take industrial action against the company following a pay dispute that saw 97% of members reject a 2% pay rise.
Since July 2018 CBRE Property Maintenance staff working on the British Airways contract at the airports have been told that, despite CBRE’s healthy profits, they will not be getting a pay rise. CBRE said that this was because their properties contract with British Airways was up for renewal and until the tender process was completed, a pay rise was impossible.
After originally refusing to recognise and negotiate with GMB, CBRE were eventually forced to accept recognition and begin pay discussions. However, discussions soon stalled and a consultative ballot resulted in 100% of members saying they were willing to escalate the dispute to ACAS. The threat of ACAS lead to CBRE’s 2% pay offer, which was not back dated to the July 2018 Pay Review, which was then rejected.
It has also come to light that in March 2019 while CBRE staff were being told they couldn’t have a pay rise, management were being awarded substantial bonuses.
This dispute affects staff at; British Airways Operations Base, Boadicea House, Waterside (British Airways HQ), IAG Cargo, Terminals, and Gatwick. A meeting between CBRE management and GMB officials, is scheduled for 14 June 2019.
Trevlyn McLeod, GMB Regional Organiser said:
“For far too long CBRE blamed a renewal of their contract with British Airways for not giving a decent pay increase to our members. The renewal of this contract can take up to 2 years with British Airways giving a month to 3 month extension as they go for up to 2 years. Now once again the company want to impose an unfair wage increase of around 2% our members have been balloted and this time they will not except this they are fed up and willing to stand up for a fair pay rise.
“I have never before seen such a united front as our members in CBRE Property Maintenance British Airways Contract at Heathrow and Gatwick telling me they want something of substance backdated.
“If they do not receive this they will be united in industrial action, which will be our next ballot if talks on the 14 June are not constructive and a fair offer is not put on the table. Our members are the people who do the graft, they are the people that generate the amazing profits that CBRE have seen in the last 2 years and they are the people who deserve to share in the profits.”
ENDS
Contact: Trevlyn McLeod 07968 137967 or GMB London Press Office 07970 114762
