Salford union workers go on strike over wages and working from home

Workers at a union headquarters in Salford are striking for the third time as part of a national dispute.

Employees work for union Usdaw, which represents retail workers, but are members of the GMB union who have voted to take action after management refused to discuss hybrid working policy and offered a 3.5% wage rise.

The Usdaw offices in Salford Quays were closed today.

Salford-based employee, Steve Mitchel said: “We have been offered a 3.5 per cent pay rise which we think is insufficient. The office is closed.

“The staff which are not GMB members are all working at home, which sort of supports our arguments that, that is a possibility in something can be done if management wish to do so.”

Discussing the hybrid working policy, Mr Mitchel continued: “For us there are countless benefits to the staff and there are countless benefits to the union.

“All of which points to the fact that hybrid working should be introduced. We are not looking for people to work at home five days a week, there is possibility for people to be working one day a week at home.

“There are people who have caring responsibilities, childcare responsibilities and a more flexible working day would assist them.”

Martyn Richardson, GMB rep at Usdaw’s Head Office, commented: “There’s been no commitment from management at the moment to talk.”

“However, we are hopeful that there will be the opportunity to sit around the table with management again in the near future. But as it stands, nothing as yet.”

In a statement, Usdaw said: “Usdaw regrets the industrial action being taken by a minority of staff.

“The decision was taken to close the offices on these days so that staff who are working did not have to cross a picket line and were able to provide a limited service dealing with urgent queries from members.”

General Secretary for Usdaw, Paddy Lillis, said most employees had accepted the latest pay offer, which he claimed amounts to “more than 11% when additional pension scheme contributions are included.”

GMB has announced more dates for industrial action on December 12 and 13.