Events are moving fast following the 75%+ YES/YES vote by members in the industrial action ballot at West Gorton.
NEGOTIATIONS
The company have offered formal negotiations, which will take place at West Gorton on Friday 29th August. This is great news, and entirely the result of the determination of our members. Amicus has provided the company a draft agreement to settle the dispute, to assist the negotiations. We expect to be presenting the petition for MAN05 Employee Rights to management at the meeting - it already has over 500 unique signatures from Fujitsu Services staff at MAN05.
The company requested that notice of industrial action be suspended while we talked. Your reps pointed out that the issues have been on the table for many months, and that we are not willing to be "strung along". We have therefore given the company until noon on Tuesday to come up with an offer that could be the basis of meaningful negotiations. The reps committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon can then consider their request.
ACTION
While we are hopeful that the ballot result will be sufficient to bring the company to its senses, we also have to be prepared for the possibility that the company may still be unwilling to cooperate. We are therefore making arrangements for action, should that be necessary. The action can be called off at any time if a settlement is reached.
Amicus has sent notification to the company of industrial action beginning on Monday 1st September.
The form of action (for the first phase) was decided by the Extraordinary General Meeting back in June:
1. A one-day strike on the first day of action
2. Action short of strike, consisting of:
a. Withdrawal of goodwill. This means stopping all the extra things we do to help the company run smoothly, over and above what is formally required of us. Examples (not exhaustive) include stopping:
i. Doing work prior to being given a charge code or call number
ii. Using our own cars for company business (except where in receipt of an allowance in lieu of a company car)
iii. Overnight stays away from home
iv. Working outside our normal hours (including travel)
v. Responding to ?out of hours? requests when not being paid for standby and overtime
vi. Making ourselves easily contactable by mobile phone or pager
b. Taking full breaks. This means taking appropriate breaks away from work, stopping work for lunch, and VDU users ensuring that they have at least 10 minutes every hour not using their VDU.
c. Helpdesk staff ensuring all calls are logged carefully and thoroughly, making appropriate use of Make Busy and Do Not Disturb.
d. Setting up an Out Of Office reply to cover the strike day and non-work periods such as overnight or weekends. This should be based on ?Fujitsu Services staff at West Gorton are currently taking industrial action because the company is breaking its union recognition and redundancy agreements, and over a pay claim. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. If you want more information or to join AMICUS, see www.ourunion.org.uk. Please send messages of support to support@ourunion.org.uk.?
For the avoidance of doubt, subsequent General Meetings can change or extend this plan, but we must give at least seven days notice to the company before any action.
Amicus is also making plans for a protest march and members' meeting on 1st September.
Posted by IA at August 22, 2003 03:15 PM