Burger off!

Unite has warned today (September 6) that its members employed on the Norwegian airline baggage handling contract, will not accept ‘burgers instead of bucks’ in a pay dispute.

The workers are employed by Omniserve and undertake baggage and ground handling work for the Norwegian airline at Gatwick airport. The annual pay award was due in May but the company has refused to even engage in talks.

The company has suggested that a company barbecue would be a fair alternative to a pay rise.

Unite is currently undertaking a consultative ballot of members to see if they wish to press ahead with a full strike ballot.

In a sinister move the company has informed Unite that it will be speaking to members ‘one on one’ concerning the pay claim and the possibility of strike action.

“Workers are not going to accept an offer of burgers for bucks,” commented Unite regional officer Jamie Major.

“Our members need to be able to afford to eat every day and not just when the company chooses to hold a barbecue. You can’t pay the bills with burgers.”

‘Sinister’ 

He continued, “It is very sinister that management is seeking to speak to members one on one about the pay claim and potential strike action. These meetings are all about coercion and arm-twisting.

“The annual pay date was in May and the company has still refused to offer any increase in basic pay. Our members have been very patient but they are now saying enough is enough.”

Major warned, “If there is strike action, passengers with Norwegian will face severe disruption but this dispute is entirely of the making of Omniserve.”