Text of the motions opposing the Betfred cuts
The Early day motion before the Parliament at Westminster
BETFRED STAFF COMPENSATION
30.04.2009
Moved by Hywel Francis
That this House notes Betfred's notification to its staff that it plans to remove overtime premium pay for Sundays and bank holidays as well as general overtime; further notes the poor compensation package offered to Betfred staff, which leaves them out of pocket in year one and all remaining years; further notes Betfred's recent announcement of £13.2 million in profit, its recent acquisition of a further 23 betting shops and its recent £4 million sponsorship of the World Snooker Championship; believes that wider economic challenges should not be a pretext or excuse to cut terms and conditions, especially in industries where profit continues to be made; understands that Betfred is issuing termination of contract notifications to those not accepting the compensation package; commends the work of Community - the union for life in its work to stand up for betting shop workers; and calls on Betfred to re-think its proposals, engage in meaningful consultation with its staff and their union representatives and refrain from cuts to terms and conditions.
The Motion before the Parliament at Holyrood.
MOved by John Park (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Scottish Labour):
Betfred, Stop the Cuts
That the Parliament notes Betfred’s staff notification to remove overtime premium pay for Sundays, bank holidays and general overtime; considers that the poor compensation package will leave staff out of pocket in year one and all remaining years; also notes that in the year to March 2008 Betfred’s operating profits for the group improved by 22.7% to £13.2 million, its recent acquisition of a further 23 betting shops and its recent multi-million sponsorship of the World Snooker Championship; believes that wider economic challenges should not be a pretext or excuse to cut terms and conditions, especially in industries where profit continues to be made; understands that Betfred is issuing termination of contracts notification to those not accepting the compensation package; commends the work of Community: The Union for Life in its work to stand up for betting shop workers, and calls on Betfred to rethink its proposals, engage in meaningful consultation with its staff and their union representatives and refrain from cuts to terms and conditions.
Supported by: Rhona Brankin, Patricia Ferguson, James Kelly, Des McNulty, Kenneth Gibson, John Wilson, Ken Macintosh, Patrick Harvie, Bill Kidd, Jamie Hepburn, Hugh Henry, Bill Butler, Marilyn Livingstone, Elaine Smith, Mr Frank McAveety, Dr Richard Simpson
Lodged on Friday, May 01, 2009;