Morrisons workers in Cheshire and Wakefield are set to strike over what Unite the Union claims are “forced changes” to pensions.
The union said that the changes on their pension contributions could leave employees at the supermarket giant “£500 worse off”.
Unite members working as warehouse stock controllers, cooks, canteen staff and administrators were balloted for industrial action last month, with the strikes now due to take place from 5am on 23 May until 5am on 26 May, and then again between the same hours from 13 June to 16 June.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Unite is focused on our members’ jobs, pay and conditions and these unmerited changes to workers’ pensions will leave our members worse off every month.
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“Unite will not stand for such behaviour from any employer, let alone one like Morrisons who is raking in massive profits during a cost-of-living crisis. Its flagrant profiteering and then cutting our members’ take-home pay is a disgrace.”
The new change will allegedly force workers to increase their own pension contributions, while the grocery retailer reduces its contributions by the same amount, allowing for workers’ monthly pay packet to be reduced.
Other changes the union is objecting against include adopting a “new unpopular pick rate” – the speed in which warehouse items are packaged – as well as the removal of a service award, and enforced changes to jobs roles.
Unite national officer Adrian Jones added: “Despite our best efforts over a number of meetings, it seems that Morrisons are not interested in resolving this dispute as they have refused to negotiate over the changes to our members’ pensions and long service awards.
“Along with several other issues we have attempted to get management to see sense and find a way forward but to no avail. Morrisons will now witness the anger and ill-feeling of our members when they see them on picket lines outside their warehouses.”
Morrisons has been contacted for comment.
1 Comment. Leave new
Seems Morrisons have failed to inform, consult and communicate with the union.