Tuesday, 8 July, 2008 4:57 PM
Dear Zoe,
Thank you for your recent correspondance re point 2.5.6 of the agreed terms and conditions of employment of Plan 9 Trade Union members at the Far West Metro store which states:
"Plan 9 Trade Union members reserve the right to express themselves artistically should they wish to do so. It is agreed if their artistic expressions are to alter the shop contents or fixtures in anyway, permission must first be sought in writing from Management (Relational)"
It is our understanding that on Friday 4 July, the Plan 9 Trade Union member working that day (Julian Claxton) followed point 2.5.6 to the letter, and sought permission in writing (in this case by requesting permission in writing via the communication book provided by Manangement in the Far West Metro store) before expressing himself artistically.
Julian also followed point 2.5.1 to the letter:
"Plan 9 Trade Union members are entitled to two paid 15 minute breaks and one paid half hour break per shift. As Plan 9 Trade Union members will, on the whole, be staffing the store on their own, it is agreed that for the two 15 minute breaks, the Artworkers may shut the store. Relational will provide an appropriate shop closing/opening sign to show the public when the shop will next be open. For the half hour dinner break, Zoe Shearman (Relational) will relieve the Artworker each day".
Julian did not shut the shop for the day at 4pm, he shut the shop at the agreed time of 6pm. Julian took his agreed tea break at 4.05pm, closing the shop and setting the time on the closed sign it indicate that the shop would re-open at 4.20pm. It is unfortunate that Ewan's wife did not notice the sign saying when the store would re-open - we suggest, as a remedy, that Management purchase a bigger sign that can be fixed to the window. But this also illustrates Plan 9 Trade Union's concerns over only have one Artworker present per day, which is highlighted point 2.4.3:
"One Plan 9 Trade Union member is to be employed at the Far West Metro Store at all times it is open. After a period of one week, the staffing situation is to be reviewed by the Plan 9 Trade Union Shop Stewards and Relational. If it is felt by the Plan 9 Trade Union Shop Stewards that there are times within opening hours, or particular days, when a second worker is needed, Relational will supply a second worker. The second worker is to be either a Plan 9 Trade Union artworker or from Management (Zoe Shearman, Director of Relational). Although the staffing of the Far West Metro Store is a closed shop, to be staffed by Plan 9 Trade Union members only, Plan 9 Trade Union recognise that Management have the right to work on the shop floor, though Plan 9 Trade Union would like it noted that this takes paid employment away from Plan 9 Trade Union members".
We are also concerned with the management of the staffing rota. Point 2.8.7states:
"Plan 9 Trade Union Shop Stewards will be in charge of the staffing rota for the Far West Metro Store. The rota is to be sent to Management (Relational) 3/4 weeks before the Far West Metro Store opens. Relational also to be informed in any changes in the rota".
It is our understanding that recent Plan 9 Trade Union member Finn Claxton is available to work on Weds 9 July (a shift that another Trade Union member is now unable to do), yet in recent correspondance you have indicated that you yourself will be undertaking this shift. In light of recent events,and the fact that Finn is Julian's son, we are worried about the implications of Management taking away work from a Plan 9 Trade Union member as we feel this will inevitably push us towards strike action if we do not reach a consensus over this particular issue - something that we very much hope to avoid, yet you must understand that we have to protect the terms & conditions that Plan 9 Trade Union have negotiated for our workers
We look forward to your speedy reply to the above points.
best wishes
Sophie Mellor
Karen Di Franco
Plan 9 Trade Union Shop Stewards
