Grassroots trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) is seeking an urgent court injunction against Butlin’s after 10 unionised security officers at the Bognor Regis resort were subjected to investigations following collective grievances and during a live dispute over pay, working conditions and health and safety.
UVW is seeking injunctive relief under Regulation 13 of the Blacklisting Regulations 2010 amid concerns that Butlin’s may have breached the Regulations by identifying and discriminating against workers because of their trade union activities.
Grievances then investigations
Workers submitted two collective grievances concerning the conduct of a manager on 21 and 22 August. Between 25 and 27 August, 10 UVW members were invited to investigation meetings following what appears to be a counter-grievance by the same manager. Strike action followed on 28 and 29 August.
At least two of the 10 workers summoned had not signed the collective grievance. UVW is concerned that these workers may have been identified through a blacklist or other prohibited record of union members. Workers were also told that management was downloading CCTV footage of striking workers.
UVW members report that agency workers have told unionised Resort Safety Officers they must leave UVW or face the sack. Continuous strike action is scheduled to begin on 21 September.
Jamie: fundamental right to organise
Jamie, a Shift Supervisor at Butlin’s, said:
“Butlin’s management should be ashamed that they’re intimidating us into not exercising our fundamental right to join a union and organise together. No worker should face disciplinary or investigatory action simply because they have exercised their right to join a trade union, organise collectively, raise grievances or take lawful industrial action.”
Ospino: blacklisting has no place
Nelly Ospino, UVW general secretary, said:
“Our members raised a collective grievance and then went on strike because they are demanding a safer and fairer workplace. The response from Butlin’s appears to have been to turn the tables on the workers and investigate them instead. What is particularly concerning is that workers who did not even sign the grievance were among those targeted.”
She added:
“If workers are being identified and targeted because they are union members, or because they have taken part in collective action, that is an extremely serious matter. Blacklisting has no place in the workplace. We are therefore seeking an urgent court injunction to protect our members while these matters are properly investigated.”
The workers are demanding £14 an hour basic pay, payment for night-time breaks, repayment of wages they say were deducted for untaken breaks, at least five additional permanent security officers, the removal of the manager at the centre of the dispute from managerial duties, a fairer uniform policy developed with union input, and official recognition of UVW.
