GMB fight to stop city drivers losing out in credit crunch

GMB members who work as drivers for east London chauffeur company Chauffeur First which holds contracts to provide services to prestigious finance companies have been told that they must move over to self-employed status and lose their permanent, direct employment contracts.

On Tuesday 29th April, more than fifty chauffeurs were apparently told that as from the 1st May that they would be self-employed. It would mean a dramatic reduction in wages and that their weekend working arrangements will also be altered.

Following objections from GMB members, all changes to the chauffeurs employment status were put on hold and guarantees that the proper consultation and notice periods given to GMB. On Monday 12th May all drivers were given a letter from the company saying that their contracts had been “deleted” as from that day, and that there would now be a timetable in which the drivers could apply for their own jobs on a self-employed basis.

Terry Flanagan, Secretary of the Professional Drivers branch of the GMB said, “As the city starts to feel the effects of the credit crunch, it is passing the pain on to GMB members who work. This is typical of the behavior of proprietors in this industry and with the recession starting to hit hard, many other companies are attacking the pay and conditions of their workforce.

He added; “The GMB Professional Drivers Branch will fight these attacks on GMB member drivers. GMB does not accept these attacks on chauffeurs and would encourage all drivers to join GMB as this situation will only get worse as the recession bites the City.”

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