Workers are totally devastated and crushed by being hit with a sledgehammer with this unfair news says GMB London
GMB, the union for aviation workers, is demanding that Heathrow Ltd honour its agreement to fund London Living Wage of £10.75 per hour to its low paid workers at the airport employed by outsourced contractors from April 2020.
This call comes in response to Heathrow Ltd who stated that ” it is a proud London Living Wage employer and champions the Living Wage Foundation’s
work in line with their values and commitments.
This is a very important commitment to us, but we understand the financial strain that faces many of our suppliers, Therefore, we have taken the very difficult decision to pause London Living Wage implementation across the supply chain”.
Perry Phillips, GMB Regional Organiser for Aviation at Heathrow, said
“GMB has learnt that Heathrow Ltd have informed contract companies within its direct supply chain that is reneging on its agreement to fund implementation of the London Living Wage to its employees that was promised to workers from April 2020 onward.
This is a huge kick in the teeth for GMB members who continue to work for contracted companies such as ISS terminal cleaning and Mitie security. These are workers who during this time of the coronavirus pandemic have put their lives on the line to provide a safe service to passengers from all over the world. They are now being told that the agreement to be paid the London Living Wage is to be temporary suspended.
This is both unfair and down right outrageous. Year on year Heathrow has continued to announce record profits and revenue where millions have been paid out to shareholders. Paying workers who live on very low wages should be a priority.
Workers are totally devastated and crushed by being hit with a sledgehammer with this unfair news.
GMB members and staff who work for Mitie security and ISS terminal cleaning have continued to work and are still working to ensure that the Airport is clean and safe and have also put their own lives on the line and should be rewarded now with what was promised to them. This still affordable to Heathrow and those companies that are still working and providing a service to the Airport during this coronavirus pandemic.
I am calling on Heathrow to reconsider its decision to stop the implementation of the London Living Wage rise and to do the right thing by honouring its agreement and pay it to those workers who are expecting it in their wage packets from April 2020.”
