Union wants Olympic pay bonus for council staff (From News Shopper)

Unite union wants £500 Olympic pay bonus for Greenwich Council staff

2:41pm Tuesday 10th July 2012 in Greenwich news By Mark Chandler

BUS and tube drivers have already tried it - now it's council workers turn to demand a bonus for working during the Olympics.

The Unite union says it is pursuing a claim for Greenwich Council staff which would see them issued with £500 extra during the Games. But council chiefs say they are unaware the demand has even been made.

Branch secretary Onay Kasab, who also wants more cash for workers on the Woolwich Ferry, cited reported bonuses for senior transport chiefs as proof that ordinary workers should get more.

He said: "The impact on our members will be significant. Those who drive as part of the job will in particular find the job harder to undertake due to the various traffic restrictions. Journeys will be delayed significantly. Staff are being denied leave and time off."

With three venues in the borough and a significant amount of the roads and train network affected by transport changes during the Games, people in Greenwich are likely to experience disruption in the coming weeks.

Mr Kasab said: "Our members, who will face increased stress and worry over the Olympic period, deserve recognition for the fact that they will have to perform over and above what they are normally paid for.

"If it's good enough for senior managers at Transport for London, its good enough for those who will keep London moving, clean, safe and fed."

He claimed the demand had been put in at a regular trade union liaison meeting back in March.

But a Greenwich Council spokesman said: "Staff will continue to be paid during the Olympics and Paralympics in accordance with the standard terms and conditions agreed with the unions.

"We are unaware of Unite's request for staff to receive bonuses for working during the Olympics."