DHL CATERING WORKERS TAKE STRIKE ACTION

Workers who are employed by contractor DHL providing catering stores for Avanti trains have been taking strike action against low pay.

These workers have not been offered a pay rise despite the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation and DHL has pleaded poverty claiming that it cannot afford a rise despite the fact its global business was worth £81 billion last year.

Avanti, who buy in the service from DHL, can also afford it. It paid its owners, FirstGroup, £13.5 million in dividends last year from profits from the West Coast franchise.

Instead of trying to settle the dispute, DHL management has sent communications to staff using an intimidatory tone, instructing them not to speak to the media about their human right to take strike action.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said that DHL members wanted pay justice from an employer who can easily settle this dispute with a decent offer.

"It is the workers at DHL in catering and elsewhere that create the combined billions in wealth that shareholders and directors at the company enjoy.

"Our members are determined and resolute and will not be swayed from taking more action in the future by threatening letters from a greedy company,” he said.