NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2002
STUC BACKS FIRE FIGHTERS AND SLAMS SUNDAY SACKINGS
At its meeting today, the STUC General Council unanimously agreed to extend full solidarity and support to the Fire Brigades Union in their claim for £30,000 a year for fire fighters.
The General Council also expressed its outrage at the action of the Argos Stores Company in sacking 9 workers who did not wish to work on a Sunday, and called on the UK Government to extend to Scotland the legislation which currently protects workers elsewhere in the UK from such dismissals.
STUC General Secretary, Bill Speirs, said:
"These two issues are excellent examples of why workers need unions. Our country's fire fighters are worth at least £30,000 a year, and it is time their employers recognised that. We all hope that they are not forced into industrial action, but if they are they will have the full solidarity of the STUC.
"As far as Argos is concerned, it is quite outrageous that they and other employers are able to legally sack employees in Scotland who do not wish to work on a Sunday, whilst such action would be illegal in England and Wales. We will be making urgent representations to Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State with responsibility in this area, demanding that the Scottish loophole is closed."
Malcolm Savidge, MP for Aberdeen North, who will be initiating a Bill on Sunday Working when Parliament returns, said:
"I fully support the STUC over Argos and, with fellow MPs, will be keen to work with them on this."
ENDS
FOR FURTHER COMMENTS, CONTACT, BILL SPEIRS: