Workers across the country working for building giant and all round unpleasant employer, Kier, have wrestled a satisfactory hardship deal that seen off promised strike action.
Workers based largely around local authority maintenance contracts were informed that they were to see a change in their pay date which would leave them shy of 2 weeks pay. Most of these workers have seen no pay rise for years - indeed, many have never had a pay rise under Kier - and the steady erosion of terms and conditions. Like everywhere in Britain, some staff are living on the financial edge, gradually becoming poorer year on year as their wages stay frozen and the cost of living skyrocket.
Having channelled rage down the legal route of existing reformist unions, there was no surprise to find the recommendations from union full timers has been to accept the deal rather than fight it out for a complete reversal.
Anger and disgust amongst staff working for Kier is widespread; revulsion at the use of the blacklist is palpable, though the constant attack on workers rights has seen some staff mischievously asking how to get on this list!
Workers in North Tyneside have decided to accept the offer so as to keep their powder dry for bigger planned fights in the very near future. The same week the hardship offer was made, staff working in the Stores have been informed they may be under immediate threat as the service is to be outsourced!
Meanwhile, Kier's new acquisition May Gurney are undergoing the same inflicted hardship regarding their pay packets, completely unopposed... The strong rumour for the driver behind this whole outrage was to finance the purchase of May Gurney in the first place!
Well here's to keeping the powder dry (for now) and looking with forward like a kid at Xmas to the coming fight against the biggest set of arseholes in construction.
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