Dozens of Liverpool workers could stage indefinite industrial action in their long-running dispute over pay and working conditions.
Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) members working at Hinduja Global Solutions in Liverpool have threatened to continue their strike action for an indeterminate period after talks broke down with conciliation service ACAS. The 82 staff, employed by HGS to run the contact centre and back-office functions of the government’s Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), have already taken four weeks of strike action.
A further two weeks of walkouts will be held from December 12, as well as the imposition of an indefinite overtime ban from December 26. Workers on Tithebarn Street have taken action over their pay, including a commitment to paying at least the Living Wage Foundation of £10.90 per hour, pay when sick, an annual leave entitlement of 27 days, paid breaks and job security.
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Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: “Although our members are angry and frustrated at the lack of movement from management, it’s still within the gift of the multi billionaire owner of HGS, Srichand Parmanand Hinduja, to end this dispute. His staff – the same people who have helped him accumulate an estimated personal wealth of more than £28.4bn – are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
“He could easily afford to raise their pay to at least the Living Wage Foundation of £10.90 per hour, as well as paying them sick pay and paid breaks.” The union also demands members receive an annual leave entitlement of 27 days and job security.
A spokesperson for HGS said during the second stage of strike action: "To date, HGS has attempted to discuss the demands being made by PCS Union and its representatives and reiterated the fact that HGS is unable to accommodate the unreasonable requests being made by PCS. Despite this, PCS has failed to reconsider its position and/or present a negotiable position.
"Furthermore, and for the avoidance of doubt, HGS has continued to operate its DBS campaign and met its obligations during the strike action. Despite the strike action, HGS has demonstrated its ability to fulfil the demands of the campaign.
"HGS is a standalone publicly traded business on the Indian Stock Market. HGS UK Limited, that operates the DBS contract is a subsidiary of HGS. The Hinduja family are shareholders alongside many other institutional investors."
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