Community Union - Paddy Power Newsflash

• Removal of Premium Pay For Sundays & Bank Holidays
• Removal of Overtime Pay
• Removal of Paid Lunch Break
• Red Ringing of Shop Grades

Along with our Paddy Power Union members Community urges you to JOIN COMMUNITY UNION NOW!

The Facts

In 2008 Paddy Power announced operating profits of £67.3m and proclaimed that company would rapidly invest in growth by having a 150 UK shop estate by 2011. In 2008 Paddy Power shops in London generated EBITDA of £7.2m showing the health of the UK market. Indeed, we know that Paddy Power shop workers worked hard to produce these profits for Paddy Power PLC and you kept central costs on average for each shop at £124,000.

Instead of rewarding you for your continued commitment and work to the brand, Paddy Power have taken the decision to in fact REDUCE your earnings! It is a disgrace that Paddy Power during these current difficult economic times has chosen to target their loyal hard working employees and families in this way. This decision has quite simply been taken with no compassion or care for the direct impact it will have on family budgets or family home life. Paddy Power its self stated that the UK sports betting market had grown 12% since 2003 and even in current economic climate it would still GROW at 3% till 2013.

It is outrageous that with a strategy of growth, growing profits from its UK estate that some Paddy Power colleagues have informed that they will not get a pay rise BUT A PAY REDUCTION!

Do not be pushed into signing without all the information you require to make an informed decision and do not feel pressurised into signing. You should be given enough time to review your offer and decide what is best for you. Members of Community will be fully supported with professional legal advice and by expert employment advice.

Your Right to Join a Union - Protected by Law

Trade Union membership is protected by freedom of association legislation. It is unlawful for an employer to treat you any differently for being a union member. Also, your employer has only one way of knowing that you’re a member — if you tell them!

There are around 7 million union members across the UK and all enjoy the benefits and security that union membership brings. Workers in unionised companies earn on average 10% more than those in comparable nonunionised workplaces.

Improving your workplace

Community Trade Union is dedicated to improving the conditions of all betting shop staff. Your union has a team of dedicated organisers working nationally that regularly visit workplaces to organise workers and promote the benefits of union membership.

Union membership is vital in order to drive up standards in the industry.

The statistics are glaring: Employees in unionised workplaces earn on average more than 10% than colleagues in non-unionised companies. Companies that are unionised have a 50 % better record on health and safety.

Bigger pressures on staff will no extra reward demonstrates clearly why workers at Paddy Power need a union representing them.

Community would like to hear from you if you can suggest any areas or specific shops for organisers to visit. In addition to the national and regional newsletters and websites, Community also holds regular one-day seminars for members in the betting industry. The aim of the event is to better inform members about their rights at work but the seminars are also an excellent opportunity for staff from the various bookmakers to learn about the issues facing their colleagues in other companies. It is only by unionising colleagues throughout the industry that we achieve a fairer deal for betting shop workers.

Get involved in the campaign

Community Trade Union continues to build and develop our campaign in Paddy Power to get a fairer deal for our members across the UK. We also continue to arrange meetings with workers to promote and explain the benefits of union membership and to answer any questions workers might have. If you would like more information or would like us to arrange a meeting in your area then contact the Community Union today!