Defence workers strike over derisory pay offer

Labour and trade union movement news

Defence workers strike over ‘derisory’ pay offer

From Unite:

Workers at the cash-rich Defence Support Group (DSG) started a rolling programme of strike action today (Wednesday 15 October) in a dispute over pay in the run-up to the group being sold off to the private sector next year.

More than 800 employees, members of Unite, started a 24-hour strike at 00.01 today – with the prospect of more industrial action on the cards, unless the management gets around the table to negotiate a fair pay settlement.

The main sites are at Bovington (Dorset), Catterick (north Yorkshire) Colchester, Donnington (Shropshire), Sealand (north Wales), Stirling, and Warminster (Wiltshire).

The further action already agreed is:
  • Workers at Donnington and Sealand will strike for a further 24 hours starting at 00:01 tomorrow (Thursday 16 October)
  • Staff at Catterick and Stirling will strike action for 24 hours commencing at 00:01 hours on Thursday 23 October
  • Employees at Bovington, Warminster and Colchester will strike for a further 24 hours from 00:01 hours on Tuesday 28 October

The workers, who maintain, repair and overhaul military air and land equipment for the Ministry of Defence (MOD), are seeking a 8% pay rise for 2014.

Unite national officer for the MOD and government departments, Mike McCartney, said: “Our members voted overwhelmingly for strike action because of the 1% derisory pay offer, as well as the unknown future they face being sold off to the private sector … DSG has cash reserves of £65 million, which will go back to the Treasury once the sale has been completed. The current DSG management can afford to give a substantial pay rise to the workers who have made DSG such a success story.”