Eurotunnel, Security And Industrial Relations

EDM number 193 in 1996-97, proposed by Andrew Mackinlay on 14/11/1996.

That this House is dismayed at Eurotunnel's inappropriate decision to declare, from 1st January 1997, 657 redundancies, 307 of which will be in the United Kingdom; in addition notes that two dozen security staff on short term contracts are not to have their contracts renewed from the end of November 1996; understands that these security staff are highly trained and experienced operatives, many having previously been employed in security work in Northern Ireland; further notes that these workers were recruited on short term contracts but with the implied promise and expectation of permanent work at some later date; considers that although Eurotunnel has made claims to the contrary, it is clear that the security operatives are to be replaced by either non-specialist Eurotunnel staff or agency labour, believes it is indicative of the disregard by employers of employees that Eurotunnel's chosen employment agency, Staffsign, is already attempting to recruit Eurotunnel security staff at wages 33 per cent. less than are currently paid; deeply regrets that Eurotunnel is seeking to engage its staff in so-called consultation exclusively through the mechanism of its own company council thereby avoiding the legitimate right of these employees who are members of the Transport and General Workers Union to be consulted and represented through the mechanisms of that union; and calls upon Eurotunnel to rescind its current programme of job cuts, particularly in the interests of public safety and open a dialogue with the Transport and General Workers Union about developing an independent and representative industrial relations forum for the future.

This motion has been signed by a total of 39 MPs.