Major national retailers and banks are facing cash shortages on Monday the 4th of December as members of the GMB union at G4S begin a strike action.
Retailers that are expected to be affected include Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Wetherspoons as well as some banks including Barclays, HSBC and Santander. G4S Cash who employ the striking members is a leader in its field within the UK. It is part of the G4S group who are currently the second largest private security company in the UK next to Mitie.
This strike action comes as a blow to G4S who made headlines earlier this year with its acquisition of Top 10 security company, and retail guarding specialist, Total Security Services (TSS).
On Tuesday the 22nd of November, it was announced by the GMB union that members voted 97% in favor of industrial action. The GMB Union is one of the UK’s largest general members unions with over 460,000 members who work in nearly all industrial areas including security, government, the NHS and more.
The strike is scheduled to take place from 3am on Monday 4 December 2022, sparking genuine fears of cash shortages over Christmas.
The last time G4S Cash workers voted to strike; the Bank of England is thought to have pressured G4S into improving their offer because they the Bank’s insurer demands minimum staffing levels.
G4S Cash, part of Allied International, originally offered members a part pay freeze, though have now tabled an offer of 4 per cent and lump sum bonus based on contracted hours.
Eamon O’Hearn, GMB National Officer, said:
“There are low paid workers doing a dangerous job, transferring the cash so many of us still rely on every day. All they are asking for is a wage they can live on, that they can feed their families on, that they can treat their children this Christmas on. G4S Cash staff provide an absolutely vital service. If they walk out, we can genuine cash shortages over the festive period.”