LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Crisis talks between Britain's general union,
the GMB and facilities management firm EMCOR are set to take place this
afternoon in a bid to avert a 24 hour strike on Sept 7, which was agreed at a
mass meeting at Heathrow earlier today.
Earlier this month GMB members employed by EMCOR Facilities Services at
Heathrow and Gatwick Airports voted by more than 4 to 1 for industrial action.
The ballot came after pay talks collapsed last month when EMCOR staff rejected
an earlier pay offer by the company.
The decision to go ahead with a 24 hour strike on Sept 7 and to post pickets
at both airports was conveyed to the company after the meeting, said the GMB.
However, further negotiations between the two parties are taking place today at
the GMB's office in Hayes in an effort to avert the strike.
"EMCOR is a profitable company and it can afford to pay a fair increase to
our members who live in the expensive South East. We hope the pay talks today
move us in the right direction as the company are now clear where they stand
with the determination of their workforce on this matter," said Rob Kelsall, a
GMB organiser.
EMCOR was unavailable for comment when approached by Thomson Financial News
this afternoon.
r.jones@thomson.com
rj/jlc
COPYRIGHT
Copyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by
framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written
consent of AFX News.
|