Bookies demand living wage

Sean Graham bookmakers have voted unanimously to take strike action over poverty pay, with initial strike dates to coincide with the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup.

 
The mandate for strike action was overwhelming, with 100 per cent voting to take strike action on a turnout of 71 per cent.

 
Davy McMurray, Unite officer with responsibility for the union’s membership in Sean Graham bookmakers has called on management to urgently address the issues of poverty pay and staff security ahead of planned strike action by workers.

 
“Following a 100 per cent rejection of a management pay offer which would have left our members on the minimum wage payable under UK law, Unite balloted our members on their willingness to take industrial action,” McMurray explained. “The unanimous result in support of taking strike action highlights the strength of feeling among our members and their determination to secure a Living Wage.”

 
“Unite has repeatedly highlighted issues of concern for our members at Sean Graham bookies, who are overwhelmingly composed of female workers,” he added. “These include personal security concerns over the absence of protective barriers and the absence of overtime rates or compensation for unsocial working hours.

 
Following on from the unanimous vote for strike action, the union has confirmed initial strike action will take place on Tuesday March 15 (Champion Hurdle Day) and Friday March 18 (Gold Cup Day) during the Cheltenham festival.

 
McMurray noted that it was not too late for management to avoid unnecessary disruption by “bringing forward a Living Wage pay proposal addressing the legitimate expectations of their valuable staff”.