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Union calls Waterstone's meeting

15.06.07 Graeme Neill

Representatives from the Unite union--formerly Amicus/Transport & General--have lined up a meeting with Waterstone's HR director Wendy Drinkwater to discuss "concerns" regarding the chain's harmonisation of contracts.

The changes, which are under consultation, will unify Waterstone's and Ottakar's contracts and will also affect a small number of staff still working under other contracts such as Dillons.

Bill McComish, Unite's Waterstone's representative, said that "dozens" of staff had been in contact with the union about the new measures, and a delegation from Unite was due to meet Drinkwater this Thursday, though Waterstone's would not confirm the meeting.

Among the concerns McComish had heard from staff was that the terms would result in a "pay freeze and loss of career status for experienced booksellers not wishing to progress into management". "[Waterstone's is offering] well below inflation increase on new contracts," he said.

Waterstone's management has stressed that it is offering staff a competitive pay rise, as well as providing opportunities for those who wish to move into management to do so.

waterstone's Graeme Neill

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