It's relocate or face redundancy as Scholastic moves to WitneyAround thirty NUJ members working for Scholastic, a major educational book and magazine publisher, have until September 4th to make a difficult choice. Around thirty NUJ members working for Scholastic, a major educational book and magazine publisher, have until September 4th to make a difficult choice. The company is moving from Leamington Spa to the site of its warehouse and distribution centre in Witney, and staff have the option of moving with the company or taking redundancy.
Neither option is ideal, Witney is over an hour’s drive from Leamington Spa and public transport involves a half-hour train journey followed by two bus rides and a walk to the new premises.
However, the chapel has managed to maintain its redundancy terms as set out by the house agreement, where the full amount will be paid for those staff staying until the Leamington Site closes.
Those wishing to relocate can claim up to £5000 for moving anywhere within 35 miles’ radius of Witney. Staff have a ‘trial period’ of eight weeks during which they can try out working in the new premises without losing their right to opt for redundancy, and will receive £35/week travel subsidy during this period.
The NUJ chapel at Scholastic has always been very strong, with very high levels of membership. However, the company is now suggesting that union recognition may be in question, once the relocation to Witney is complete, because eligible staff will be a minority at the combined site.
“The chapel is concerned about this threat to our longstanding recognition at Scholastic, but management have at least promised to keep dialogue about recognition open when the education division moves to Witney ” said MoC Simret Brar. “Our national officials are aware of this situation; we will of course push hard to set up NUJ recognition in Witney. We've had a strong chapel here at Scholastic for decades, and have always had a very constructive relationship with management. We cannot understand why they might want to derecognise us now," she added.
AW 2009-09-02
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