ABUSE OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE, LEEDS SERVICE CENTRE – GATE GOURMET

Our Ref: HC/4/4

 

26 July 2024

 

 

Dear RMT Member

 

ABUSE OF DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE, LEEDS SERVICE CENTRE – GATE GOURMET

 

Concerns have been raised regarding the treatment of RMT members at Gate Gourmet’s Leeds Service Centre. Your local rep has advised of a disturbing pattern of bullying, hostile management practices, and unjust dismissals.

 

Your RMT Regional Organiser says that issues at the Leeds Service Centre extend far beyond a single incident, such as the display of work notices that threatened to penalise staff for being one minute late - a clear-cut intimidation tactic that he had to intervene on to ensure the notice was removed.

 

Of even more significant concern is the apparent lack of integrity in the appeal process at Gate Gourmet. The remote hearings conducted by managers and HR cannot be considered impartial, especially in cases where vindictive CCTV monitoring of staff was undertaken in retaliation for submitting a grievance. This systematic failure to provide you and your colleagues with a fair and consistent system of recourse is unacceptable.

 

The specific cases of dismissal are particularly troubling. Two members with unblemished records were dismissed for disposing of D-listed (unregistered) stock, with one following their supervisor's instructions. Another member was rejected for failing to meet attendance standards despite having a recognised medical condition and being treated at the hospital while not qualifying for sick pay. The lack of discretion and rigid approach to attendance management demonstrates a complete disregard for the well-being and health of RMT members at the site.

 

Furthermore, the actions taken against the Leeds Service Centre staff appears disproportionate and inconsistent with that of staff elsewhere. This is unacceptable and suggests you and your colleagues in Leeds are bearing the brunt of incompetent management. 

 

Given Gate Gourmet's unwillingness to follow a fair and consistent approach in its disciplinary processes, which are being used for punitive purposes and despite several efforts to intervene by your Regional Organiser, the matter has now been considered by your union’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

 

The NEC has stated that it will not tolerate this culture of intimidation being endured at Leeds and has thus declared a dispute situation.

 

I will now therefore inform Gate Gourmet that a dispute situation now exists over the situation at Lees and will remain so until it starts to display a fair and consistent approach to disciplinary matters.

 

I have also informed the company of the availability of your union to hold talks to resolve this situation and will keep you updated on any progress made.

 

Yours sincerely

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary