GRAHAM HISCOTT Store pay cuts hit 9,000 staff
THOUSANDS of Sainsbury’s workers face wage cuts in September after the store pushed through controversial new pay structures.
Staff will lose Sunday premium pay and paid breaks as well as some bonuses – and the Unite union warned some workers could be made redundant if they don’t agree to the new terms.
The firm had agreed to consult on the proposals until next month, but announced yesterday the new conditions for staff would come into effect from September.
Labour MP Siobhain McDonagh has been leading the campaign for a fair deal for all workers in the pay shake-up. But she warned 9,000 people would be worse off under the plans by an average of £400 a year, with the worst hit being up to £3,000 out of pocket. Ms McDonagh said: “How can a company that made pre-tax profit of £589million last year, with a CEO that receives £930,000 before bonuses, think it is right to force a pay cut on thousands of their most long standing and loyal members of staff ? “It’s not right and it’s not British to ask people to work well for less.” Unite’s Joe Clarke added: “The plans will leave thousands out of pocket while still holding a gun to workers’ heads with the threat of sign up to the new contract or be out of a job.
“Sainsbury’s needs to stop threatening loyal hardworking staff with the dole and start engaging more positively by giving workers the assurances they have been seeking.”
The supermarket said 121,000 store workers would end up with an average pay rise of 9.3% when it increases the hourly rate from £8 to £9.20 in September.
Simon Roberts, retail and operations director at Sainsbury’s, said: “The changes we are introducing from September will make pay and contracts fair and consistent for all of our colleagues, in every store, regardless of age or length of service.”