Morrisons accused of penalising low-paid women workers at Lanarkshire depot

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Supermarket giant Morrisons has been accused of penalising low-paid women workers as strikes loom at its North Lanarkshire distribution depot.GMB Scotland is balloting members on industrial action at the Morrisons site in Bellshill after pay talks with cleaners collapsed.The staff work for contractors Atalian Servest but any pay deal is signed off by the supermarket chain.The union says cleaners in the offices, canteen and toilets, mostly women earning little more than the minimum wage, have been offered a lower pay rise than other workers in warehousing, logistics and transport where staff are mostly men.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Other contractors on the site offered between 5.5 per cent and seven per cent rises but, after earlier offers were rejected, Atalian Servest eventually offered five per cent to the cleaners but made it dependent on them giving up a £600 annual bonus.John McCartney, GMB Scotland organiser, said members flatly refused the offer and will now be asked if they back strike action.He said: “Our members are angry and disappointed at how their negotiations have been conducted while watching pay deals agreed with other departments.“They are also very aware staff in those departments are mostly men and are rightly asking why some of the lowest-paid women whose work is