Hundreds of workers from the Co-op's funeral services arm staged a 24-hour strike over hours and pay today, but services to bereaved families have not been affected, the organisation says.
Staff including administrative workers, pall bearers and hearse drivers will also ban overtime from today after rejecting a 3.5 per cent pay offer. Co-operative Funeralcare has offered a pay deal, already accepted by almost 80 per cent of the workforce, which includes a pay rise of over five per cent for some categories of staff, taking into account the 3.5 per cent minimum annual rise.
Co-operative Funeral Care said staff involved in the action represented less than 12% of the workforce covered by the pay deal. As of midday today 18 branches out of a total of 507 had to be closed, in cases where staff could not be provided.
A spokesman said that closures were confined to the London area and because of advance planning and the high level of support from employees, the organisation's branch network across the UK had been able to meet "the vast majority" of funeral requirements since the strike was declared.
"While this is positive news for the many bereaved families we serve and for the majority of our employees who want nothing to do with this dispute, we take no pleasure in reporting it," said the spokesman. "We remain saddened by this action and we urge the unions to reconsider their position in light of the facts."
But the spokesman added that prolonged action by unions could inflict serious damage on the business.
Ian Crawford, regional organiser of the Transport and General Workers' Union, said: "Hard-working and capable funeral workers deserve more than the low wages the Co-op pay them. We recognise this is a sensitive issue but the company need to review salary levels and conditions."
Phil Davies, national officer of the GMB union, added: "Funeral workers want fair pay, but they also want respect from their employer. Our members are absolutely committed to the public they serve, however, to maintain that level of service, care and professionalism, they are taking strike action as a last resort."
