Mitie strike action averted after workers back 4% rise

Over 90% of the Unite the Union members at Mitie Defence Gibraltar voted in favour of new proposal which sees them received a 4% pay rise this year and looking ahead a no cap inflationary increase for next year which will reflect any impact to inflation from the new treaty.

Christian Duo from Unite told the Chronicle that they are “delighted” with the outcome as “it was what we were seeking.”

On Wednesday Unite issued a press release which stated that its members at Mitie Defence Gibraltar rejected the company’s pay offer of 3%, with more than 85% of members voting against the offer.

This offer was made following months of negotiations between Unite and Mitie, where Unite said it made it clear that it could not recommend the company’s final offer to members as it fell short of the membership’s negotiating mandate.

Following the ballot rejecting the offer members planned to carry out a walk out on Thursday at the Naval Base, with further selective industrial action to follow should the dispute remain unresolved.

However, on Wednesday evening a revised offer came through and Mr Duo and the team at Unite met with shop stewards on Thursday morning to present the new deal. Which it recommended the members accept.

A ballot was subsequentially held and 90% of members voted in favour of the 4% increase for this year.

Mr Duo also noted that Unite and Mitie aims to continue to work their relationship, which had started to deteriorate over the past year.

Both sides have agreed on a new working formula designed to improve communication and strengthen the relationship between the Union and the company. This will include monthly meetings with local management, alongside improved lines of communication and engagement with Mitie’s UK-based management.

“I am absolutely delighted with the result achieved for our members, but more importantly, I am extremely proud of the support Unite has received from our membership throughout this dispute,” said Mr Duo.

“On both ballots, around 90% of our members supported Unite’s recommendations. That demonstrates the strength of feeling among our members and the confidence they have placed in their negotiating committee.”

“We went into these negotiations with a clear mandate from our members for a 4% increase, and I am pleased that we have been able to achieve that mandate for Year One, together with an uncapped inflation-linked increase for Year Two.”

“I would also like to thank Mitie for coming back to the negotiating table and recognising that both sides need to work on the relationship issues we have raised. The agreement to meet monthly with local management and improve communication with UK management provides us with a positive framework to rebuild the relationship going forward.”

“Finally, I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to our Shop Stewards’ Committee for the outstanding work they have carried out throughout these negotiations and for the continued support they have given me since the commencement of the Global Agreement, ISP and OPC contracts back in November 2007.”

“This has been a significant collective effort, and today’s agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when Unite members stand together behind a clear mandate and I hope it also marks the beginning of a much stronger and more constructive relationship between Unite and Mitie.”