Can they get away with it?

lutterworth43 · 8 Aug 2006 at 19:32

I work for a private family company about 90 workers on site, there is no trade union.
The company have changed my job description and reduced my pay.
I am still doing the same job, nothing has changed apart from my money.
Can they get away with this?
I said I would not do the job then and take a less complex job, and theythreatened me with disiplinary action!!! :mad:

vanpeebles · 8 Aug 2006 at 19:33

happens all over, councils have been doing it too!

Steeps · 8 Aug 2006 at 19:45

if they are changing parts of your job like its description wouldn't you have to sign a new contract to show this?

beamer · 8 Aug 2006 at 20:11

What industry ? How difficult for them to recruit replacements ?

Depending on answers, either get as many as possible from the 90 to join the relevant trade union for the industry or form your own union. If you can get more than a third or so of the workforce together - then they will listen to your requests.

lutterworth43 · 8 Aug 2006 at 20:21

beamer said:
What industry ? How difficult for them to recruit replacements ?

Depending on answers, either get as many as possible from the 90 to join the relevant trade union for the industry or form your own union. If you can get more than a third or so of the workforce together - then they will listen to your requests.

Food Industry, wages are poor, just over minimum wage! I think new workers could be found as work is short up here, the Company would NEVER stand for a union, and some of the present staff are spineless!!!

SexyGreyFox · 8 Aug 2006 at 20:28

lutterworth43 said:
Food Industry, wages are poor, just over minimum wage! I think new workers could be found as work is short up here, the Company would NEVER stand for a union, and some of the present staff are spineless!!!

It is your right to be in a Union and the company can do nothing about it.
There is no such thing as a closed shop even though you will hearthe phrase.
John Caudwell wouldn't allow a Union but its got nothing to do with him.
What you need to do is to get about 30 of the workers to join a Union and then get the Union Convenors to ring the company up and say they want a meeting because their members are disgruntled.

oweneades · 8 Aug 2006 at 21:34

Steeps said:
if they are changing parts of your job like its description wouldn't you have to sign a new contract to show this?

Yes you should as the new pay scheme would have to be written into it and would have to be accepted by you as the employee.

Same goes for pensions, etc.

I for example had to have a complete new contract written out and singned by mean and my boss just because they made a typo on the pensions entitlement (showed as 6 months instead of 3).

Geffen · 8 Aug 2006 at 21:46

I would look at joining/ forming a union but in the mean time I would speak to your citizen’s advice bureau to check your rights. To me changing your job role and pay could be classed as constructive dismissal but I have no legal knowledge.

scorza · 8 Aug 2006 at 22:09

Did they "consult" before changing the terms of your employment? IIRC legally they have to or leave themselves open to constructive dismissal charges.

dmpoole is right - there's nothing to stop you joining a union, though there's nothing to say that your employer has to recognise that union in the workplace. If you were in a union this is the sort of issue where they'd be able to help (though you'd have to pay your subs of course).

Gandalf501 · 8 Aug 2006 at 22:10

Yes, you would need a new contract unless of course your original contract states they are free to change your job description and wages within the specified wage and tasks range. For example it could say you stack shelves, operate the till and handle complaints. They cant then ask you to empty the lorry without a new contract.

lutterworth43 · 8 Aug 2006 at 22:13

I operate a tea packing machine= briefly the machine puts 250grm tea in a foil bag the puts bag into cardboard box. Box goes through metal detector then over scales, them under Best Before printer. travels along belt to a turntable
24 boxes are them put into a large outer by me. Them stacked onto a pallet.
For the last 3 years I was an Operater/Packer.
Now they say Packer= Less money :mad:

I hope this makes sence