GMB, one of many UK’s largest commerce unions, is urging the federal government to favour companies that recognise commerce unions when awarding public contracts.
The decision comes after revelations that Amazon secured £1 billion in authorities contracts regardless of allegations of “union-busting” practices.
On the Labour Get together convention at this time, GMB will push for firms that recognise commerce unions and permit unions to have interaction with their staff on recognition to obtain preferential remedy in public procurement processes.
This follows a narrowly missed vote at Amazon’s Coventry distribution centre in July, the place staff got here inside 28 votes of changing into the primary web site exterior the US to compel Amazon to barter union phrases. GMB is now mounting a authorized problem in opposition to Amazon, accusing the corporate of pressuring workers to revoke their union membership, making it more durable to succeed in the edge for union recognition. Amazon has denied the claims.
A lot of the £1.04 billion in contracts awarded to Amazon final yr had been for cloud companies, in line with knowledge from Tussell, analysed by GMB. Gary Smith, GMB’s normal secretary, acknowledged that if Amazon is to proceed receiving such profitable authorities contracts, it should begin treating its staff with respect, which incorporates truthful pay and higher working circumstances.
The Labour authorities has pledged to simplify union recognition procedures and provides staff extra rights, aiming to create a extra balanced energy dynamic between employers and unions. Present guidelines stop unions from reapplying for statutory recognition for 3 years in the event that they fail to satisfy the required vote threshold.
Amazon responded by saying that workers have at all times had the selection to hitch or not be part of a union and that direct engagement with staff is a key a part of the corporate’s tradition.
