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An intervention by British UNI Commerce affiliate USDAW helped to secure victory and maintain Sunday premiums for staff at Swedish furniture multinational Ikea.

Recruitment and Development Officer Michelle Owens uncovered the problem when she visited the Warrington store, in Cheshire, last July as part of a recruitment drive in the store.

“I was approached by two USDAW activists, Kicki Hardie and Bev Chesworth,” said Michelle. “They told me that they were concerned about the company’s plans to abolish Sunday premiums.

“I advised them to speak to Area Organiser Bill Wansell who took up their case.”

Bill advised Kicki and Bev to raise a grievance, and the members’ case was presented to the company.

The issue was taken up by National Officer Pauline Foulkes, as the union set out to ensure none of the employees lost out on premium payments. The grievance was successful, and the company withdrew its plans to abolish the Sunday premium.

"Prime example of the unions influence in the workplace"

“We were more than happy with the result,” said Kicki. “The advice and support we got from USDAW was vital to the outcome. This is a prime example of the union’s influence in the workplace.

“Both Bev and myself are now shop stewards, and our membership has doubled as a result of this victory.”

“We now have a good relationship with our HR department,” said Bev. “We’re hoping to make even more improvements and build on our success.

“We particularly want to be involved during inductions. Having time with new starters, to tell them how important it is to join the union, is an ideal way of signing up new recruits.”