Legal & General workers have voted for industrial action in a bid to save 1,500 jobs threatened by the closure of the firm’s Kingswood office.
In a final ballot, 67 per cent of Unite members voted not to strike, but instead voted for industrial action, which can include ‘work-to-rule’.
Essentially this is the withdrawal of ‘goodwill’, which means people either only work their contracted hours, leave at exactly 4pm, take full breaks, or refuse to work any overtime.
Ian Methven, regional officer of trade union Unite, said: “Legal & General is a company which relies on staff going the extra mile, from working late to volunteering for overtime.
“Our members are dedicated and hardworking professionals, but today’s (6 January) result shows that a tipping point has been reached and their goodwill can no longer be taken for granted. Frankly, the cost to the company is incalculable.”
This follows an indicative ballot in September where union members voted in favour of strike action.
Last year it was announced L&G planned to close its office in 2017, citing potential cost savings.
Unite has been campaigning since September to keep the site open.
In response to the action, L&G delayed the closure of Kingswood until 2018 and offered some staff the option of relocation to sites across the country.
Mr Methven said: “Unite is calling on Legal & General to work with us to explore all options that can keep Kingswood open.
“Closing the site will not only cost 1,550 people their jobs, it will devastate the surrounding community.
“We are grateful to the local businesses and politicians who are supporting our campaign to defend Kingswood and all the jobs that rely on it.”
A Legal & General spokesman said: “The Unite members of the Kingswood office (Surrey), have voted not to strike over the potential closure of the Kingswood site in 2018.
“The ballot has given them the option to work-to-rule, should Unite decide to take this option, which they haven’t yet.
“Our customers will not be impacted by the outcome of the ballot.”
The spokesman also pointed out L&G need to be informed if the workers decide to take some form of industrial action, but as yet the firm has not been notified.
Alan Lakey, director at Ciexpert, said: “Firstly, unlike most advisers, I believe in employee rights and take the general view that nobody goes on strike unless it is a serious issue.
“Given that, I do understand that this will cause service issues and, personally, I am prepared to accept a fall-off in support.”
katherine.denham@ft.com
