Aspire Housing strikers, 1.9.15, photo by Andy Bentley (Click to enlarge)
Aspire Housing workers striking to defend pay and conditions
Andy Bentley
On Tuesday 1st September Aspire Housing maintenance workers in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs, took strike action for the fifth time against plans to dismiss workers and re-engage them on worse terms and conditions.The workers include members of the GMB, Unite and UCATT, with some standing to lose over £5,000 a year and facing cuts to sick pay, removal of paid allowances, and on top of that are being asked to work extra hours.
This while the top CEO at Aspire is being paid a staggering £154,000 a year - an almost 30% increase over the last few years! These well-paid bosses have so far refused to even enter into negotiations with the workforce. They are just trying to railroad in the changes.
Aspire Housing workers; previous strike action, photo by Andy Bentley
But workers are angry and determined to continue the fight. Colin Griffiths, GMB organiser, said:
"Aspire Housing talk about consulting with trade unions - as far as the GMB are concerned, this process has been smoke screens and mirrors and nothing to do with improvements to the service but all about saving money on wages and pensions."
Local NSSN supporters are continuing to fully back the Aspire workers on strike.
