Salvesen drivers reckon 24% deal is worth E 1 1
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DRIVERS AT Christian Salvesen have reacted angrily to last week's pay deal, which promised a 24% increase in hourly rates, saying the deal will be worth just fll a week.
The deal, negotiated by the Transport&GeneralWorkeisUnion, covers 2,200 Salvesen workers in the UK. It also reduces their hours to 48 a week ahead of the Working Time Directive (CM17 June).
However, several drivers have contacted CM claiming the deal is "misleading". One, who is also a T&G shop steward, says: "I don't think people have worked it out, and those who
have think they have been conned." He currently works a 50-hour week, based on a basic 40-hour week at £5.98 per hour, and 10 hours' overtime at 8.97 an hour.
He also receives a regional supplement, meal money and a shift work payment, taking his pay to £428.40 a week.
Under the new deal, all 50 hours he works will be at the flat rate of £7.44 and the regional supplement will also fall to a flat rate, taking his pay to £439.68. "I'll be seven pence a week better off working nights!" he adds. "Yes, the deal is a 24% increase per
hour, but it's misleading as it is only worth £11.28 a week to me."
A T&G spokeswoman declined to comment on the settlement, except to say that it is a complicated deal, and members should talk to their shop stewards if they are concerned.
A spokeswoman for Christian Salvesen stresses the deal was satisfactory for both sides: "It was agreed by ballot and went through with a significant majority.
"It is a complex deal," she adds, "but was made with the best interests of the company and employees at heart."