Unite outrage as firm docks workers' wages for loo breaks
10th November 2009
Workers at a Lancashire meat firm are outraged about the
company’s toilet break policy where their pay is cut every time
they visit the loo.
Unite the union, which represents workers at Dunbia, a meat
processing plant based in Sawley, Lancashire, says workers are
being forced to take unpaid toilet breaks during work time. This
means workers have to clock off to go to the toilet and then clock
on again after- suffering a pay cut for using the toilet.
After unsuccessful union attempts the company is still refusing
to sit down and hear a collective grievance, signed by over 100
union members at the site, to defend a basic human right, to use
the toilet, which should be a right on paid work time.
The union is so concerned that the restrictive toilet policy is
putting the health and dignity of workers at risk, and is urging
Dunbia to reverse the policy immediately.
Unite, which is taking companies to task over their poor
treatment of meat workers, has told Dunbia to stop subjecting its
workforce to this draconian toilet break policy.
Cathy Rudderforth, Unite regional official, said: "Basically,
Dunbia is making money every time a worker visits the loo - and
that money is coming out of the workers' wage packets.
"It's outrageous that in 2009 workers have to endure the
indignity of clocking out for toilet breaks.
"We've made numerous attempts to speak to Dunbia on behalf of
our members in recent weeks, only to be given the 'run around' by a
company which clearly wishes to avoid any form of challenge to the
manner in which it treat its employees.
"Its workforce, some of whom are migrants, are extremely
frightened to be seen talking to the union. They are vulnerable
people, and, as with all workers, deserve to be treated fairly and
with respect."
In October, Dunbia, a Northern Irish company, was ranked 16th in
a table of best performing privately owned companies in the whole
of UK and Northern Ireland with sales of £466.3 million.
Unite says this shows that the company can well afford not to make
low paid workers pay for toilet break.
ENDS
For further information please contact Cathy Rudderforth on
07876 444431 or Karen Viquerat on 07768 931 316.
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