Unite calls for action against employers using the credit crunch as an excuse to cut jobs

Unite calls for action against employers using the credit crunch as an excuse to cut jobs

Unite calls for action against employers using the credit crunch as an excuse to cut jobs

Derek Simpson, joint leader of Unite, Britain’s biggest union will today (Tuesday 2nd December) urge the Government to take action against unscrupulous and trigger-happy employers attempting to use the credit crunch as an excuse to cut jobs.

Unite is calling on the Government to double statutory redundancy pay and introduce a six month cooling off period to allow employers and workplace representatives to examine the business rationale behind proposed job cuts, suggest alternatives and do everything to avoid compulsory redundancies.

Yesterday HSBC announced its intentions to cut 500 jobs across the UK despite the bank weathering the credit crisis considerably better than its competitors. Employers hiding behind the recession or simply panicking and laying-off workers too quickly will make the downturn worse.

Joint General Secretary, Derek Simpson said:

“Employers who shoot first then ask questions later will make this downturn a great deal worse and cause needless suffering to families across the country.

“We need government action to stem the tide of job losses. Our weak labour laws make it too easy for employers to sack staff with no justification.

“Doubling redundancy pay and introducing a six month cooling off period would make employers think twice before reaching for the axe.”

Employers are currently expected to enter into a 90 day consultation period if more than 100 employees are affected and 30 days for 20 – 99 employees. Unite is calling on the Government to extend the consultation period to six months as an emergency measure with a view to exhausting all alternatives to redundancy.

ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo 07768 931 315