Select the size of font for this page [Large][Normal]

GMB funeral workers stage a further 24 hour strike.

Return to main [News Page]

Date / 8th November 2004

GMB members employed by the Co-op's CWS Funeralcare will stage another 24-hour strike action on Friday 12 November to try to improve a 3.5% pay offer. They will also protest against threats made by the company to pay increases only to those who take no further industrial action.

Striking workers are already on an overtime ban with no emergency call-outs. Nearly 750 low-paid members of the GMB and T&G working for the CWS Funeralcare Division in London, Scotland, Liverpool, Northampton, the South East, the South West and Waleswill take 24 hour industrial action.

GMB National Secretary Phil Davies, who will again support pickets at locations throughout the Londonarea, said:

"The Co-op is behaving disgracefully. Who would have thought that a company with such a proud tradition of being on the side of working people would resort to crude threats against its own low-paid employees. The GMB will defend our members in the face of threats from CWS Funeralcare to only pay the increase to people who sign up to take no further part in industrial action. GMB members will not buckle - nor will their union.

"The cost of a funeral to the public is unacceptably high. The massive profits CWS makes - £360 million last year, £18 million from funerals - never reach the staff who work hard to make them. They end up in the pockets of CWS bean counters. Some of these managers are reported to earn over £1,600 per week while our members earn less than £250 per week. Many I have spoken to on the picket lines are relying on state benefits to get by. The Co-op has taken advantage of their dedication and good nature for too long. It's time to play fair, and pay fair."

The GMB Union - All Rights Reserved

[Site Map] [Text Only Version] [Legal Notices] [Application Form]