City Link workers threaten Ricoh Arena protest at Coventry

[TrueBlueTerrier]

City Link workers threaten Ricoh Arena protest at Coventry City match

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HUNDREDS of Coventry transport workers were set to stage a protest at the Sky Blues’ home game today (Saturday) in a row over pay and conditions.

Organisers say more than 400 members of Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union working at City Link Coventry would take part in the demonstration during the City match against Carlisle United at the Ricoh Arena.

The delivery firm, one of the main sponsors for Coventry City, signed a £1 million sponsorship deal with the club to include City Link’s name on the players’ home and away kits.

Geoff Martin, of the RMT Union, which represents thousands of City Link staff, said workers have not had a pay rise in four years, which has meant a “massive hit” on their standards of living.



He says workers fear their jobs are at risk as the company has brought in more casual staff to replace permanent staff and they have faced cuts to their bonus and overtime payments.

Mr Martin said: “We’ll be giving out leaflets and urging football fans to back our campaign.

“City Link are paying £1 million to support Coventry City – it’s a bit much when our workforce haven’t had a pay rise for four years.

“It’s annoying when we have City Link bosses living the high life while union members are struggling.

“Permanent staff also fear their jobs are under threat because they’re being replaced with casual staff.

“Workers are angry – they feel under threat and under valued.

“There is good reason to have the demonstration during the game when Coventry City players have the City Link name emblazoned on their shirts.

“It will give City fans the chance to learn more about City Link.

“It will be a chance to name and shame the company and to push for a good deal for our workers.

“By having a protest at a major football stadium we hope will add pressure to the company to come up with a fair deal.”

General secretary for RMT, Bob Crow, said: “It’s about time City Link showed the same generosity to its workforce that it has shown in its corporate sponsorship deals.

“It affects RMT members in the warehouses, on the vehicles and in the offices who generate the company profits.

“They are rightfully demanding a fair share rather than the constant attacks meted out by the company on their pay, jobs and working conditions.”

A spokeswoman for City Link said the firm was “unaware” of any planned protest being staged today at the Ricoh Arena and pledged to carry out a “thorough internal investigation”.

[Lounge Lizard]

Would the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union be any better for us than the CWU ?
Our jobs are all about Transporting the mail.