Library workers for Greenwich Leisure Limited in Bromley have voted to take industrial action by a margin of 86 per cent after being treated like “second class citizens”, according to the Unite workers union.
The workers union said in a statement yesterday (October 10) that representatives would meet to agree strike dates against low pay and zero-hour contracts in the coming week.
They claim that out of 10,800 staff employed at Greenwich Leisure Limited (GLL), 6,313 are on zero-hour contracts and were exempt from being elected to a staff representative board.
GLL currently runs 16 libraries in Bromley borough and describes itself as a not-for-profit social enterprise.
A spokesperson for the organisation told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that it was surprised and disappointed by the union’s decision to continue its dispute.
They added that the vote does not reflect the views of GLL’s wider workforce, claiming approximately two per cent of its staff were members of Unite and only 31 library staff in Bromley voted to strike.
Unite national lead officer, Onay Kasab said in a statement: “The workers on zero-hour contracts are treated like second-class citizens and our members in Bromley have had enough. Insecure hours and low pay is bad enough.
“But GLL excludes zero-hour workers from key parts of the very process which the company claims makes it a staff-led organisation.”
He added: “Despite claiming to be staff owned most workers can’t seek election or attend and vote at the AGM.
“The company states it is owned by staff and is committed to making the world a better place to live in. Yet it fails the first test by failing to recognise or negotiate with a trade union.”
A spokesperson for GLL told the LDRS that the organisation denied Unite’s claims that it was not willing to negotiate with the trade union.
They said GLL was happy to continue a positive dialogue to avoid strike action and benefit staff and residents who relied on its library services.
They added: “Unite continues to spread information about GLL’s employment terms and conditions that is both disingenuous and untrue. GLL is not, as is claimed, a ‘zero hours’ employer.
“All staff on flexible contracts have the option to take up a permanent contract through our ‘You Choose’ initiative. People can make a choice about how they work with us to suit their career needs, opting for either the stability and security of permanent contracts or the flexibility and control of defining when and how they work with us.”
The spokesperson said GLL made a pay award of between 5 and 12 per cent in April this year, aimed primarily at staff at the lower end of its pay scale.
They added that the organisation was happy to consider a submission from Unite to inform its 2024 pay award.
For all the latest Education News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
