| | Workers in the business
services sector are
prepared to be flexible
if it will stop their
colleagues losing their
jobs, according to a
survey of over 2,500
people by the independent
campaign Keep Britain
Working.
Of the workers
canvassed, 96% would
accept changes in their
working conditions to
help colleagues keep
their jobs; 38% would
accept a cut in pay and
over half - 53% - would
accept a reduction in
hours. However, as in the
rest of the UK, if bosses | |
|
| | asked for sacrifices
without making any
themselves 3% of business
services workers would be
prepared to strike.
The poll, which was
published in advance of
the Budget statement,
also showed that 29%
would accept a pay cut
without reducing hours,
31% would lose benefits,
6% would accept a
three-month unpaid
sabbatical, and 19%
accept a sabbatical on
30% pay. Three out of
five workers would take
on extra
responsibilities, while
48% would change their | |
|
| | role entirely if it kept
their colleagues in work.
However measures need
to feel fair to retain
support. If bosses asked
for sacrifices without
making any themselves,
49% would challenge their
manager, while more than
one in 10 would take more
direct action: 3% would
go slow at work, 4% would
walk off the job or seek
redundancy, and a further
3% would consider strike
action.
Moreover, in a
separate poll on the
campaign’s website more
than two in five - 46% - | |
|
| | said they would consider
following the recent
Belfast example and
occupy a factory rather
than accept wholesale
redundancies.
James Reed, founder of
Keep Britain Working,
which has been endorsed
by businesses, public
sector organisations,
unions and politicians
across the spectrum,
said: “There seems to be
a new altruism at work.
If people believe that
being flexible about
their own employment
conditions will help stem
job losses they will take
on change and make | |
|
| | personal sacrifices –
especially if bosses do
their bit.
“Indeed people are
full of innovative and
effective ways to help
employers cope with the
downturn other than by
simply cutting jobs. Over
400 ideas, practical
examples and advice have
already been submitted to
the Keep Britain Working
website since it was set
up only last month, with
more supporters joining
all the time." | |
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