Press Release
GMB welcome RMT call for disinvestment by London transport pension fund from Semperian as Carillion workers at Swindon hospital strike on July 15, 2012
12 July 2012
On the eve of their 21st day of strike action our members at Swindon Hospital will be delighted by this proud action from RMT showing that solidarity is better than a banker's bonus says GMB
GMB welcomed the statement today (12th July) from RMT calling for action over Semperian role in the nine months dispute between GMB and Carillion at Swindon Great Western Hospital. See Note to Editors 1 below for RMT statement. 150 GMB members are to take the 21st day of strike action on 15th July.
This latest day of strike action arises because, instead of dealing with the evidence of shakedowns and corruption by Carillion managers that their own second investigation found, the company has chosen instead to take disciplinary action against 10 of the whistleblowers who were the victims of 'gold for employment rights' and racism on the contract.
These workers have already taken 20 days of strike action over the persistent failure of the Carillion management to deal with evidence of bribery and corruption on the contract which has been covered up for some years.
The senior Carillion HR manager at Swindon Liz Keates was involved in the blacklisting by Carillion of 224 workers across the UK. Carillion used the blacklist register nearly 15,000 times over 4 years. A culture of illegal corporate bullying is endemic, systemic and deep rooted in Carillion demonstrating that the way GMB members were being victimized at Swindon was not out of character with the company culture. See Note to Editors 2 for progress on the dispute at Swindon to 10th July. See note 3 on Semperian PFI role across the UK.
Paul Kenny, GMB General Secretary, said:
“On the eve of their 21st day of strike action, our members at Swindon Hospital will be delighted by this proud action from RMT. Solidarity is better than a bankers bonus.
The dispute at Swindon Hospital is a simple matter of right and wrong. If Semperian don't already know about the shameless activities and cover up, happening under their roof for years, then they may be in for a shock. Carillion, Semperian and their mates seem to think they are safe in their ivory towers and that the world outside their corporate bubble doesn't care about racial abuse, bullying and extortion.- They are wrong and their arrogant indifference may cost them dear in the future.
By putting Semperian on notice RMT has shown how decent people know the difference between right and wrong and that when it comes to where their pension is invested, or where public money is being spent, there are standards of behaviour that are not acceptable to working people.
Illegal corporate bullying is endemic, systemic and deep-rooted in Carillion and Semperian would do well to rein Carillion in while they are still able to do so. Alternatively they might want to consider sending them for to be exorcised at the earliest opportunity."
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