Staff at L&G vote for industrial action over 1550 possible job cuts

Staff at Legal & General's (L&G) head office in Kingswood has voted in favour of industrial action to save over 1500 jobs, according to Unite.

Unite said that in an industrial ballot 67% of union members at L&G voted in favour of industrial action short of a strike, which can include working to rule or refusing to work overtime.

The insurer confirmed it was planning an office reshuffle in June last year and a spokesperson then said the company "must remain competitive on cost".

Dedicated
Ian Methven, Unite regional officer commented: "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 result [6 January] 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."

The dispute follows L&G's decision to threaten 1550 jobs by closing the Kingswood site in 2017.

In September last year, L&G's unite members voted in favour of strike action over the possible job cuts.

According to Unite, the union has been campaigning to keep the site open since September last year and in response the insurer has postponed the Kingswood closure until 2018.

Options
L&G has previously said it is looking into relocating staff to "cost-efficient locations" in Hove, Cardiff or London.

Methven continued: "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."

Impact
An L&G spokesperson 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."

The spokesperson added: "Our customers will not be impacted by the outcome of the ballot."

For all the latest industry news direct to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.