MoD workers take action against poverty wages with a
"heavy heart"
6 October 2008
Unite members in Landmarc Support Services, who service firing
ranges used by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), are to take
industrial action today (Monday 6th October) in a dispute over pay.
The overtime ban at all firing ranges will be accompanied by a
series of national demonstrations.
Hundreds of workers voted overwhelmingly to reject a below
inflation pay offer of three percent with the possibility of
additional earnings but "with strings".
The Landmarc workers provide a variety of services including
tracking, plotting, continuous observation of all maritime vessels
and maintaining the safety of the MoD firing ranges (see notes)
around the UK. The ranges are used by Army servicemen to practice
ahead of military deployment.
According to Unite, their members are paid only £14,000 per
annum. With many of them struggling to get by on this sum, the
company’s offer of three percent with a possible two percent bonus,
based on unclear criteria linked to health and safety issues, has
been firmly rejected by the workforce. Unite wants the company to
recognise that maintaining a safe working environment must be a
priority of the company and not down to individual workers to
provide in a bid to boost meagre wages.
Jennie Formby, Unite National Secretary, said:"Our members take
this action with a heavy heart as they know that any industrial
action, particularly an overtime ban, will cause huge problems for
the army in carrying out crucial training for soldiers just about
to go off to Afghanistan.
"However, although they have a mandate for full strike action,
our members have taken a decision not to use that yet as they know
how vital their role is in the training of these troops.
"Up until now working relationship between the workforce and the
MoD, and then with subsequent contractors, has been excellent. But
since Landmarc won the contract in 2003 conditions for the
workforce have deteriorated rapidly. We call on the management to
recognise the seriousness of this dispute and to sit down and
negotiate."
Gareth Stait, Unite senior steward for the Castlemartin, Penally
and Manorbier Ranges said: "I’m ex-forces myself and my son is a
serving soldier. His troop is just about to go to Iraq, and many of
my colleagues are also ex-forces in the same position. The troops
we work alongside have told us they support us, they can not
believe the poverty wages we have to endure. We’ve tried to
negotiate but the management refuse so what other choice have we
got?"
Unite members, joined by members of the GMB, have agreed to
embark on an overtime ban from the 6th and will also be holding
demonstrations outside MOD Main Building and at key sites (see
notes).
-ENDS-For further information contact Ashraf Choudhury in the
Unite Press Office on 020 7420 8914 or 07980 224761or for regional
interviews see contacts below.
Notes to Editors:
Demonstrations will take place between 12.30pm-1.30pm at the
following sites
Outside MOD Main Building in Whitehall, London SW1A 2HB
National Officer Ian Waddell, 07768 931269
Senior steward Kev Ager, 07743 249358
Defence Training Estate (South East)
Dymchurch Road
Hythe, Kent
CT21 6QD
Regional Industrial Officer Dave Weeks, 07770 444803
Defence Training Estate (South East)
Tourney Road
Lydd, Kent
TN29 9JR
Regional Industrial Officer Kevin Whiffen, 07770 440112
Defence Training Estate (Pembrokeshire)
Castlemartin Ranges
Merrion
Nr Pembroke
SA71 5EB
Regional Industrial Officer Allan Card, 07958 624 499
Senior steward Gareth Stait, 07733 255982
Landmarc, Defence Trading Estate
Longmoor Camp
Longmoor
Nr Liss
Hampshire
GU33 6EL
Shop steward Steve Fosberry, 07788 968934
Landmarc Defence Trading Estate (North)
Wathgill Camp,
Leyburn,
North Yorkshire
DL11 6AH
Shop steward Mike Scott, 07759 035693
Landmarc, Defence Trading Estate (North)
Warcop Camp
Appleby
Cumbria
CA16 6AH
Shop steward Chris Gibson, 07881 703283
Unite members include the Range Radar Operators and Range
Wardens who will be taking part in the action on the 6th
October.
Range Radar Operators have responsibility for the tracking,
plotting, and continuous observation of all maritime vessels i.e.
oil tankers, fishing boats, yachts, speed boats etc and perform the
vital task of ensuring that no boats enter the live firing safety
zone that surrounds the UK.
Range Wardens perform an equally important role of maintaining
the safety of the firing ranges and ensure the preparation, safe
running, and supply of everything that a live firing Armoured
Fighting Vehicle or infantry unit require on a daily basis. They
are also responsible for the construction, movement and
installation of all targets and associated equipment onto the
range.
