Concerns over Angard agency work
15th December 2011
Royal Mail was today called on to "shape up and
get a grip" as complaints mounted about the company's new
recruitment agency Angard.
With less than a fortnight until Christmas, the CWU is receiving
reports of casual staff not being paid, being turned away when they
turn up as requested for their shifts, problems with security
clearance, being left in the dark about their contract and
employment rights, and being unable to contact the agency.
"We've had complaints from around the country
about some serious problems for agency staff employed by
Angard," said CWU deputy general secretary Dave
Ward. "Most worrying are the reports of people being
turned away or not being paid. These are vulnerable people who took
casual work in the hope of making some cash for Christmas and who
have bills to pay."
Dave explains that at the busiest time of the year for Royal Mail,
post deliveries and collections are going well. "While
operations are going well across the country, there's a small
group of people who are being treated poorly by Angard and that is
unacceptable. We expressed serious concerns about this agency right
back in September, but Royal Mail assured us they had full
confidence in them - it seems this confidence may have been
misplaced.
"I've contacted Royal Mail at the highest level and the
CWU is urging them to get a grip on this right now," Dave
continued, adding: "We're urging all agency workers at
Royal Mail to join the CWU
so that we can help protect their pay and conditions at work."
This is the first year that Angard has been in operation. It is
owned by Royal Mail and run by Reeds. Other agencies are also
supplying casual staff for Royal Mail over the Christmas period.
Are you a Royal Mail Christmas temp? Join the CWU today. Call
FREEPHONE
0800 731 7434 or e-mail joinunion@cwu.org
