G4S workers threaten to strike over pay
G4S Security Guards’ dog section at Uhuru park during the 2008 Labour Day celebrations. G4S workers are accusing the firm of unilaterally acting to retrench employees. Photo/FILE
Hundreds of workers at security firm G4S could go on strike next week if their demands for improved wages are not met, a union spokesperson said on Sunday.
The unionisable employees, who are also protesting against the dismissal of one of their own, also want the firm to discontinue the planned retrenchment exercise that started on New Year’s day.
“In accordance with the Constitution and the Labour Relations Act 2007, every person has the right to fair labour practices and to go on strike,” the acting secretary general of the Kenya Union of Commercial, Food and Allied Workers Boniface Kavuvi wrote to G4S managing director John Wheather.
Unlawful action
According to the letter, the workers accuse the firm of unilaterally acting to retrench employees.
“This action has been viewed as unlawful redundancy, as the union has not been consulted and notified on the intended and the extent of the redundancy,” wrote Mr Kavuvi on Thursday last week.
The strike comes at a time the troubled firm has been on an image-building exercise following a series of robberies involving cash under their care.
