Pay snatch outrage

Greedy outsourcing firm ESS is attempting to force Unite cleaners and housekeepers at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) facility in Gosport to take two weeks unpaid holiday a year in a cynical bid to save money.

The group, mostly older women who work part time, have said they “refuse to be bullied” by ESS who took over cleaning services last year under an MoD contract.

Around 30 low paid staff at the Fort Blockhouse armed services training facility were asked to sign a letter saying they voluntarily agreed to reduce their contracts from 52 to 50 weeks a year.

After many refused they were told the reductions were compulsory.

Managers and supervisors at the site, which provides accommodation for armed services personnel training there, will not see their contracts reduced under the proposed changes.

The letter came as ESS, part of the ESS Compass Group, prepared to submit a bid to the MoD to continue providing services to the facility.

“To us it feels like they’ve put in a cheap bid to try and retain that contract. We shouldn’t be used like that,” said one Unite member.

“But we’re not going to be bullied into changing our contracts. When we were told about it we thought ‘this isn’t fair’. It doesn’t apply to all ESS employees and it’s happened after the living wage went up.

“It felt like they’re giving with one hand and taking with the other.”

The member explained that for some staff losing two weeks salary would make the job unfeasible.

“Some people are looking at losing £500 plus a year. One woman said that’s the cost of her car. If she can’t afford to run it, she’s got to take public transport which is more money lost. So can she afford to keep the job?”

Unite regional officer Bob Middleton said the group – many of whom have loyally worked at site for years, originally for the MoD and then for outsourced companies – deserve better.

“ESS are doing this on all their (military) contracts. The reason is they’re doing it is to win MoD bids because it is a very cut throat business,” Middleton said.

“Basically it’s another greedy contractor that’s attempting to exploit their staff by reducing working hours. What can they do with two weeks? It’s not like you can get another job during that time.”

Unite is appealing the decision with ESS and will hold a protest against the firm’s actions in the upcoming weeks.