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The festive period may be upon us, but there is little Christmas cheer to be found at Drax power station this month.
A strike by canteen workers has turned ugly, with unionists claiming that Drax bosses are supporting “intimidation tactics” aimed at returning the cooks to the kitchen.
It comes after the company-wide Christmas dinner was scrapped last week, following the canteen staff walkout.
To make matters worse, out-of-date sandwiches have been left in vending machines as stock has not been replenished or changed over since the strikes began at the start of December.
The canteen staff are staging the industrial action in a bid to secure better pay. The workers are employed through external catering company Baxter Storey. However, Baxter claims that it cannot negotiate a pay rise as Drax determines how much the workers are paid through its contract.
Following the cancellation of the Christmas dinner, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham claims that many of the predominately female canteen workforce have been sent “threatening messages” saying they had to fill in a form to say they were on strike or they would lose the legal protections afforded to staff taking industrial action.
Unite views these messages as an “intimidation tactic” and has called out bosses at Baxter and Drax.
“Baxter Storey’s intimidation tactics won’t work,” Graham said. “Our members are rock solid – they know Baxter Storey can more than afford to table a reasonable offer. They have Unite’s total backing as they strike for a fair pay rise.”
She added: “At the moment, Drax is supporting Baxter Storey in its refusal to negotiate with Unite and its attempts to break the strike.
“Drax management should know they are at odds with the rest of its workforce who overwhelmingly support the canteen staff.
“They should also know that the only way Baxter Storey can end this dispute is with a reasonable pay offer. Drax should be telling Baxter Storey to do just that.”
The workers are paid the rate set by the Real Living Wage Foundation. However, Unite claims that Baxter Storey does not implement the official rate until six months after it has been announced by the foundation, leaving workers on “poverty wages” for half the year.
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