Strikes a possibility at BAE
Hundreds of angry managers are to vote on strike action at Portsmouth Naval Base.
The ballot by 280 members of the Prospect trade union could see middle and even senior managers walk out – just two months after 600 shipworkers narrowly avoided a strike.
The latest vote has been sparked by efforts to change their four-day working week, remove union rights from senior staff, and encourage staff to move to Scotland if asked by management.
Prospect negotiator John Ferrett, 44, said: 'If you're working five days a week instead of four, that's 20 per cent extra for your travel costs. If you've got children you need childcare.
'There's no way all this is worth three per cent. People are disenchanted. Members feel the company hasn't been straight with them. They feel it's a stitch-up.'
In a statement the company said: 'We're disappointed the unions have decided on this course of action while negotiations are ongoing. We've invited the unions to national conference and are committed to working together to reach an amicable resolution.'
This is just the latest headache for BAE Systems, which only recently took full control of BVT.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
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