"Frasers Group has warned Unite the Union against taking "reckless and irresponsible" industrial action after the trade body threatened strikes across the retailer's warehouses in a dispute over pay. In a strongly worded letter to Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, Sir Jonathan Thompson, chairman of Frasers Group, said he was "extremely saddened" by what he described as the union's "inflammatory and confrontational" tactics."
"The warning comes as Unite pushes Frasers - the retail empire founded by Mike Ashley - to commit to paying the "real living wage" as set by the Living Wage Foundation. Unite has called on Frasers to raise warehouse pay to £12.60 an hour across the UK and £13.85 in London, up from the current £12.21 national minimum wage. The union has threatened to move towards strike action if the group refuses to meet those demands."
"Frasers said it granted a 7% pay rise in April, lifting wages above the legal minimum, and claimed Unite had failed to submit formal proposals during previous bargaining windows - other than a request last September. "You'll appreciate that we are left questioning the union's real motivations in threatening industrial action," Sir Jonathan added. In his letter, Sir Jonathan said the timing of Unite's campaign was particularly damaging, pointing to new economic pressures facing the retail sector."
Frasers Group has warned Unite the Union that proposed industrial action over pay demands would be reckless and irresponsible. Chairman Sir Jonathan Thompson described union tactics as inflammatory and said he hoped to avoid rash action that would risk disharmony while protecting employees' interests. Unite is demanding the real living wage, calling for £12.60 nationwide and £13.85 in London, and has threatened strikes if Frasers refuses. Frasers says it granted a 7% pay rise in April, argues wages exceed the legal minimum, and claims Unite largely failed to submit formal proposals. Frasers cited rising National Insurance, high business rates, and online competition as added pressures.
Read at Business Matters
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