A TRADE union representing Thomas Cook employees says
it has been inundated with letters from staff who are refusing to accept the
company’s pay freeze.
The Transport Salaried Staff’s Association has
extended its deadline by a week for responses from staff at the travel giant.
The union sent out circulars to its 3,000 members on
March 11 containing letters addressed to Thomas Cook chief executive Alan
Stewart. It asked for them to be returned by the end of last month.
This followed the company’s decision to freeze pay
until after the end of the company’s financial year on October 31.
However, the multiple restored pay to pre-September
levels on March 1 after cutting salaries by up to 10% for those earning over
£10,000 a year and 15% for directors. The resumption of normal pay came as
Thomas Cook reported trading to be stronger than expected in the first quarter
of this year.
So far the union has received 600 signed letters which
it intends to hand over to Stewart at the end of this week.
The letter states: “I do not accept the pay freeze and
want TSSA to negotiate an increase for this year … I would be grateful if the
company would review its stance on the issue.”
A union spokeswoman said many had already been
returned from non-members who had seen the circular sent to members.
She added: “The original deadline has been extended
and we think we’ll get even more before we hand it over.”
Thomas Cook said it welcomed any open and honest
feedback on the issue and that pay was unlikely to be increased until after the
financial year ends on October 31.
A spokeswoman said: “We have
not had any major feedback on this issue internally. Before Easter Alan
explained fully about the pay freeze to staff. As soon as he is confident of
strong trading, pay will be reinstated.”