Workplace news in brief

Papa John's workers' pay protest

Protest against wage theft by pizza chain Papa John's 25 July, photo Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise (Click to enlarge)

Campaign group 'Sheffield needs a pay rise' and the fast food workers' union BFAWU organised a protest against wage theft at Papa John's pizza chain on 25 July.

Workers were demanding wages owed to them for work completed before the franchise was transferred from the previous owner in June. Some claim their wages for this period amounted to less than the legal minimum wage.

Workers faced unsanitary conditions including no access to private toilets, and no breaks during long shifts while the store remained open throughout the lockdown. But on 27 June they arrived to find their store was closed.

Workers claimed they were not told that the store would be closed temporarily, and that the franchise, which covers all Sheffield Papa John's stores, had been transferred to a new franchisee.

In the month since, the previous owner has not paid workers the full pay they are owed, including all hourly wages at the legal minimum wage, and delivery allowances.

Bexley bin workers win better pay

Strike action by Bexley refuse workers in south London was called off after a revised pay deal was accepted. 150 workers were set to strike for five days but voted to accept a revised pay deal from outsourcing company Serco.

The deal includes a new �10.25-an-hour minimum rate, backdated to 1 April this year, and a 2.75% pay rise for everyone already above the minimum rate, pending the outcome of national negotiations.

Unite union regional officer Ruth Hydon said: "We have made significant progress on the pay issue and other matters, such as health and safety improvements.

"But the campaign is not over as Bexley council is currently considering whether to award the contract to Serco for a further five years up to 2025.

"We believe that the contract should come back in-house and Unite will be campaigning to that end as councillors gear up to make that decision this autumn."

Reinstate FCC activist Tony Smith

Trade unionists will be outraged at the dismissal of Tony Smith by an FCC waste disposal company disciplinary hearing. Tony, a Unison union activist, has been sacked for 'gross misconduct'. But in reality he has been victimised for trade union activities.

All of Tony's fellow drivers at the FCC plant at Wilmington agreed that Tony made a correct health and safety call, and view this decision as a blatant stitch up by management.

Tony led the successful strike two years ago which won sick pay rights for 2,500 FCC workers up and down the country.

40 attended a protest (above) organised by Hull Trade Union Council on 4 August. There will be a bigger protest in Hull on the day of Tony's appeal, and at other FCC sites around the country.

Please send messages of support to Tony Smith c/o Hull City Unison, Town Hall Chambers, 39, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull HU1 2AG or to [email protected]

Mike Whale, chair, Hull Trade Union Council

South west trade unionists meet

The National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) held a successful meeting on 25 July to develop its work in the south west of England. Over 42 people joined in the Zoom meeting, brought together by a desire to help build the rank and file of the trade union movement.

Trade union militancy will be a vital means of the working class defending itself from the tsunami of attacks on jobs resulting from the capitalist Covid crisis. The meeting covered key aspects of the struggles we face including defending jobs, developing trades councils, recruiting young and unorganised workers, and defending health and safety, especially in schools. Volunteers came forward for a coordinating group to set up a regional conference in the new year to further strengthen the NSSN in the south west.

Tom Baldwin

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