(16 Nov 2023, 8:56 pm)Ambassador wrote I’m intrigued how escalation leverage will work. Unite themselves call it the nuclear options, but some observations.
They target shareholders, the wider group is returning a solid profit. Sharon Graham turning up with a placard and some reps outside an office in Canada would cause bemusement.
They target customers and suppliers. It’s unlikely an already stretched industry supplier network will boycott GNE. It’s unlikely a PTE like Nexus will suddenly stop dealing with GNE, partly as there’s no real alternative in some cases.
From a people perspective I’m intrigued how it plays out. We moved on from a union model to a colleague forum model last year and I personally find a more local approach more beneficial…from both sides
They'll naturally keep most of the cards close to their chest, I'd imagine, but I'd see it similar options to what you've suggested being played out. Targeting of shareholders, customers (not Joe Public) and suppliers, and pretty much anyone connected to the business.
Interested that you've moved to a colleague forum model. Is that alongside relations with your Trade Unions? I'm assuming you haven't gone through statutory derecognition! Without going too off-topic, I've been a member of both, although elected to a colleague forum (works council as a TU rep). Employers tend to like colleague forums better, but the rights an independent trade union has in comparison, usually makes them look rather toothless.