Pret a Manger employees are contemplating strike motion after the sandwich and low store chain informed them momentary pay cuts introduced in through the pandemic wouldn’t be reversed.
A bunch of workers, organising on social media, are being supported by the Bakers’ Meals and Allied Employees’ Union.
Final September, in response to a pointy drop-off in gross sales, Pret stopped paying workers for breaks and eliminated a bonus for workers judged to have given good customer support. Workers are legally required to take a half-hour break on an eight-hour shift.
A £1-per-hour pay uplift for employees who’re scored nicely by thriller customers was additionally reduce final yr. It has been reintroduced at 50p and can stay at that degree. Again workplace workers additionally took a pay reduce. The corporate has now informed workers that there aren’t any plans to reverse any of the adjustments.
Pret blamed the pay cuts on falling gross sales through the pandemic, which stay “considerably under” earlier ranges. In some areas its espresso retailers are making only a third of the income they recorded 18 months in the past.
Pret has been among the many firms hit hardest by lockdowns, altering client habits and dealing from house which has meant fewer commuters and customers on the town centres the place a lot of its branches are.
The chain closed 74 places within the UK final yr and shareholders have secured £285m to assist the struggling firm.
A spokesperson mentioned: “The enterprise remains to be buying and selling considerably under pre-pandemic ranges, however we proceed to evaluate our advantages. That is under no circumstances a mirrored image of the onerous work of our groups, and we’re extremely grateful for his or her dedication and dedication.
“It’s vital to us that we all the time talk overtly and truthfully with our crew members, which we’ll proceed to do over the approaching months.”
Ian Hodson, nationwide president of the Bakers Meals and Allied Employees Union, mentioned: “We name on Pret to assume once more. We are able to now not sit again and permit these firms to spice up their income from employees wages. It’s terrible to learn that employees are dealing with even worse situations as we try to get the financial system again on observe.
“After the pandemic we’re seeing a return to dangerous enterprise as traditional and dealing individuals can’t and shouldn’t settle for that any extra. All of us deserve a greater deal and we’ll assist the employees at Pret if the strike goes forward.”
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