AA pensions strike ballot
8th
April 2010
GMB CALL
FOR LAST DITCH TALKS AT AA TO AVOID STRIKE ACTION CAUSED BY GREEDY ELIT
THAT COULD HIT VULNERABLE MOTORISTS
GMB says
that before embarking on such a serious course of action that a meeting
between the company and GMB should be held on proposals to worsen
pension fund benefits
GMB has
written to Andrew Goodsell Chief Executive of AA/SAGA seeking last ditch
talks to avert a stoppage of work at the company over proposals to
worsen pension fund benefits.
These
proposals are still out to consultation until 23rd April. An
announcement on the changes to be implemented will be made by the
company on May 7th. The implementation date of any changes is 1st
July 2010.
GMB members
in a consultative ballot have voted overwhelmingly to seek authority
from the Central Executive Council for a ballot for formal industrial
action against the company. Authority has been given and the union’s
legal team is assisting in drawing up a watertight list of members to be
balloted for industrial action.
Paul Maloney,
GMB national officer dealing with union members at AA, in his letter to
Mr Goodsell said “I believe that it would be worthwhile before
embarking on such a serious course of action that could hit vulnerable
motorist that a meeting takes place between the company and
representatives of GMB and its members. The issues I am sure you are
well aware relate to the proposals to worsen pension fund benefits.
The
private equity owners took out £300m from the company in 2007 when Bob
Diamond from Barclays helped them saddle the company with £4.8 billions
of debts to pay this sum. We need to find a way to go back to these
elite who enriched themselves at the expense of our member’s future
pensions to ask them to repay some of the money they trousered. The
elite should not be allowed away scott free while parents with young
children and elderly people are stuck with breakdowns miles for home as
a direct consequence of their greed. Tim Parker the former Chief
Executive took out over £20 million for less than 3 years work.
In view of
the current difficult situation industrially may I suggest that you give
urgent consideration to arranging such a meeting which may assist all
parties in avoiding a stoppage of work and a further deterioration in
employee relations.
I shall
have to formally notify you of our intention to ballot but I can delay
this for a few days in order to give you an opportunity to consider my
proposal for a meeting.”
End
Contact Paul Maloney 07801 343839 or 0208 397 8881
or Paul Grafton 07714 239092 or GMB press office 07921 289880
