Fairness for Agency Workers

We, the undersigned, support the North West TUC's campaign for fair treatment for Agency Workers.

We urge all employers to immediately ensure that all agency workers have equal pay and conditions when they do the same jobs as permanent staff.

That's only fair.

Last 20 signatories

Joe BloggsDrayman KNDL
"Having worked for KNDL in Stretton (Warrington) for 2 1/2 years i can honestly say it has been the worst years of my life so far. I have never been treated with such disregard and disrespect in my life. i work as a drayman for those who dont know thats Beer delivering, nothing is shared fairly between full timers and Agency. there seems to be this unwritten code of conduct that states that all agency must PUT UP AND SHUT UP after all we are only temps and do not have the right to complain as we should be grateful to be working a hard labourous/dangerous job that takes skill all for minimum wage. i get planned 11 hours a day (i only get payed for 10 then i have to work my dinner of which i never had to start with ! ) the sheer turnover of agency staff proves how badly we get treated. i get annoyed when full timers complain about a 9 hour day or the odd 10 3/4 WOW try doing 11 hours everyday for half your pay and get all the dirty jobs then you will have the right to complain. i cant get a loan / mortgage i cant plan more than a day in advance because i dont know if i will be working or not. if i am told there is no work for the following day , i am still expected to work and have had numerous calls at 5 am. if i complain i get the response TOUGH, WELL YOU KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO, YOUR ONLY A TEMP, seems like we are all in the same situation regardless of job and its about time something changed as there are good workers working as agency its not our fault as most where laid off as a result of the ressesion. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE STILL HUMAN AND SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE ONE . KNDL I HOPE YOUR EARS ARE BURNING "

Anonymous signatorysweeper driver
"i support the campaign i have been working for the local council for 3 years doing the same job but i am on half the pay for doing the same job . if you complain u get the you ar eonly agency reply"

Elaine
"After being made redundant last year, i have had to temp until I can find a suitable permanent position and I am now on less money then i was 28 years ago!"

Anonymous signatorydog body gopher
"fair is fair, its as simple as that. ive been an agency worker in the same company now on and off ( due to redundancy ) for a total of 3.5 years and 12 years in the past, so i know more than most of the permies !!! and they have recently changed the overtime rule to allow agency workers the scraps from the bottom of the barrel. i guess this is a step in the right direction but they still treat us as if we are slaves,stupid etc etc . i get so sick of hearing " let the temps do it " or "put the temps on the worst jobs " we are human, we have lives, we have feelings, being an agency worker is like being under martial law - you . do it because we havent got a choice. we NEED to change this law NOW not later.an agency worker cant get a morgage or loan ( unless you want to pay the much much higher premiums ) no nothing so your constantly stuck in catch 22 with a dark cloud over your head . no bank holidays . we get 1.5 days a month ( 18 days per annum ) to save up for school holidays with the kids, xmas, bank holidays , weddings funerals . i could go on the list is endless, I am grateful to be employed but that noose around my neck is very very stressful and not knowing week in week out if im going to be employed that week so i can pay my bills and feed my children. this cant be healthy . please please please cammeron / clegg use your brains dont become the CON/DEMS( take away your millions and come do some agency work , lets see how quick you would change the law then !!!! ) hope you all become permies soon :) ....................good luck...."

Jennie KingCustomer Service Advisor
"I have worked for agencies for many years and am now earning less per hour than I was earning eight years ago in the same town. Having been made redundant last year I have no choice but to take agency work."

corinne lis customer services advisor - EDF energy

Jack Cassidy
"I would like to be treated like a human being, not a human doing work for low pay and no advancement."

Matthew Lee Account Manager - EDF energy

megan alford SME customer service advisor

Anonymous signatorynon agency worker
"Fairness is needed now!"

Mark Paul MainwaringCWU
"When I left education I was an agency worker for 5 years before finding permanent employment. I did 14 jobs and was treated very badly at most of them by the agencys and the employers. Wages not paid and each side blaiming the other. Not knowing from day to day if you were working. It is the modern day equivalant of waiting outside a factory and being chosen to work that day."

Anonymous signatoryLaurence Price, Insolvency Examiner & fraud Investigator, Insolvency Service, DBIS
"I'm an agency worker for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. I find it ironic that the very organisation that should be promoting equality is perpetuating a two tier workforce. BIS agency workers are just second-class citizens- we have significantly lower pay rates, less holiday and most of all no job security compared to our permanent colleagues. "

Jack Payne Agency worker

Anonymous signatoryEx Manpower Employee at BT
"I worked a year for Manpower at BT. Was the most miserable time of my life. I suffered clinical depression as a result of the stress and could not afford time off without satisfactory sick pay. I had a breakdown while at work and was dismissed for Gross Misconduct as a result. The Union was pathetically weak in their response and I feel despair that people can be treated in this way."

Anonymous signatorysecretary-council
"l have worked for a council for 15months in the same job, have tried to be made permanant but they keep coming up with excuses, l am fed up with having to wait for months before l can take any leave due as l have to accrue them, then l have to be carefull as l don't get paid bank holidays l have to use me hard earned hourly entitlement, come the end of the year l am so knackered l become ill, also l cannot carry over any hours to the new year l have to take them or loose them!! so from each january it takes me 6 months to save up a 2 week holiday!! which does not happen because of the easter & may breaks l have to use else l don't get paid!! can't wait fo get same benifets as perm staff let it happen NOW PLEASE....."

steve peirsondriver
"british telecom bullying from top transport managers is this fair to agency drivers"

chris mcloughlinstreet sweeper,lancaster city council
"easy to understand why agency staffing appeals to employers,but full time staff have a responsibility too especially union members . in fact no support has been shown by full time staff ,who because of poor management leave work undone knowing that management would rather pass it on to myself and other agency staff than take them to task,"

stephen bevan

mohamed zermoun
"all for equal considerations"

Alec Mills GMB Branch Secretary, St Helens