Usdaw Activist members
For a second year running, Morrisons private-equity owners are refusing their hard-working employees a basic pay rise above minimum wage.
Since their takeover in 2021, owners Clayton, Dubilier and Rice (CD&R) have been asset-stripping Morrisons and squeezing workers.
Morrisons was the first major UK supermarket chain to reach £10-an-hour pay – albeit at the cost of giving up the annual bonus – but since then pay has stagnated.
Twice, Usdaw union members have voted to reject poor pay deals that were recommended by their union negotiators.
Now, Morrisons have told Usdaw they are “unable to make an offer at this time”!
For the first time, Usdaw’s negotiating body has voted to reject this and has raised the possibility of industrial action. Members in all stores, distribution and manufacturing covered by the national agreement will be balloted from 5 to 23 February. Socialist Party members and Usdaw Activist supporters call on all Usdaw members to vote to reject this non-offer.
Company bosses blame the increases in employer National Insurance contributions. The real reason is linked to the billions of pounds of debt that CD&R loaded Morrisons up with as part of their purchase of the company. They have launched a £1 billion cuts agenda, making workers pay the price.
Staffing levels
Staffing levels in the Morrisons Daily convenience chains have been pared back to minimal amounts, with staff often lone-working. To add insult to injury, staff are also being told they need to be ‘more flexible’!
Socialist Party members working in Morrisons have reported a great deal of anger. But some members are concerned about what the union will actually do, believing that management has been emboldened by the lack of a challenge from the union tops previously.
The leadership must now put themselves on a war footing and prepare members to win the ballots necessary to take strike action. The regional reps meetings that are taking place are a good first step. But other measures should also be considered, such as workplace meetings, and rallies of Morrisons workers and supporters, including outside Morrisons head office in Bradford. Tactical questions to boost impact, such as disaggregated ballots and some targeted action, will need to be democratically discussed.
The whole of Usdaw must be rallied behind Morrisons workers, whilst also reaching out to Unite members in Morrisons distribution and manufacturing.
We must demand of Usdaw’s Keir Starmer-supporting leadership that it demands the removal of the Tory 50% turnout thresholds immediately.
The serious threat of strike action in Morrisons would send a warning shot to all the supermarket bosses who have so far been able to pay low wages despite the substantial profits workers generate.
