A trade union headquartered in Salford is facing possible industrial action from some of its own staff in a dispute over pay and working from home.
Usdaw - the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers - is one of the UK's biggest unions and is based at the Voyager Building at Furness Quay, Salford Quays.
Members of the GMB union employed by Usdaw are said to have rejected a pay offer of 3.5 per cent and as a result, are in formal 'dispute' with the union.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw's General Secretary, said the dispute involved 'fewer than 100 of the union's 400 staff' at Salford Quays and the pay offer, which followed negotiations as far back as May, was worth more than 11 per cent in total as and extra £1.3m was committed to the union's final salary pension scheme as well.
Usdaw - the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers which largely represents shopworkers - is said to be the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members and a union which stronger backs Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
It's understood staff involved want a degree of commitment from the union over home working policy.
Mr Lillis spoke of his disappointment and said he wanted the issue of working from home to be set aside from the wages claim, because it was a complex issue that may need extra investment.
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw's General Secretary, said in a statement to the Manchester Evening News : "The pay negotiations took place in May and the full value of the pay offer to Usdaw staff is above 11 per cent, if an extra £1.3m committed to the union's final salary pension scheme is taken into account.
"The dispute involves fewer than 100 of the union's 400 staff, with those represented by two other internal organisations having agreed to the pay offer. I'm really disappointed that things have come to this.
"The GMB balloted on the pay offer and on the issue of introducing some form of home working but for me, home working is an issue of policy and there is a lot to think about and potential extra investment required. I asked for it to be set aside from the wage claim, so we can look at it at some future point.
"It’s been a difficult and challenging last couple of years that has impacted on everyone, and the union and the country has some really difficult challenges ahead. We need to ensure our reps and members get the best possible support going forward with my main priority being to get this union back firing on all cylinders."
Karen Lewis, an organiser for the GMB, said: "GMB members employed at Usdaw are in dispute. They are seeking a cost of living pay increase and have unanimously rejected an offer of 3.5 per cent.
"Their claim is to reflect the growing financial insecurities we all face. Staff are also seeking a commitment to explore new ways of working. GMB remains open to finding a mutual resolution to the dispute."
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