GMB Prepare For Strike At Military Munitions Depot

GMB Prepare For Strike At Military Munitions Depot

GMB Scotland’s members at the Defence Equipment & Support (DES) depot in Beith are preparing for unprecedented strike action.

Last week, 93% of GMB Scotland’s members at the depot voted for strike action over a dispute on retention bonuses. Managers and craft workers are in receipt of bonuses whilst non-craft workers do not.

The union says that there is culture within the depot which has created a two-tier system where non-craft workers are treated as second class.

DES is an arm’s length body of the Ministry of Defence which delivers equipment and support services to the UK armed forces.

 GMB Scotland Organiser, Chris Kennedy said:

“Our members at the Beith depot work day in and day out to ensure munitions and equipment are readily available to our armed forces to defend UK security. Without our members, the depots would not function. They deserve to be recognised for that work and to be treated fairly and equally.

 “We have called for the UK Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace MP, to intervene and deliver parity for our members. Without his intervention, our members at Beith will take unprecedented strike action on his watch – the first in the history of DES.

 “A two-tier system is totally unjustifiable – especially when all staff work hard to support our armed forces and all staff are facing the deepening cost-of-living crisis. Our members deserve equal treatment for the vital work they do.”

ENDS

Contact: Chris Kennedy, GMB Scotland Organiser, on 07961 575 524 or GMB Scotland Communications: gmbscotcampaigns@gmb.org.uk