National Grid staff say they will strike

Services company Compass Eurest took over the contracts for the security, cleaning, post room, reception and catering departments at the site in Gallows Hill last year, but workers say they have not received their wages for the past three months.

One employee told the Courier: “We have not been paid the wages we are owed.

“The company seems to be taking the money off the Grid but are not paying us and the management refuse to talk to us.”

The worker said that when questions were put to Compass Eurest, they were ignored or told they could leave the company.

He added: “Many of the employees are now up to six months behind on their mortgages and face repossessions.

“The company is doing nothing to resolve the issues and holds meetings to discuss meetings that are about other meetings.”

Another employee said: “We were promised all sorts from Eurest and were told we would see ourselves in a better position with the company.

“But instead we have been left on the verge of being homeless and our children at home not knowing when the next meal will be put on the table.”

A fellow worker added: “We never had any problems like this with our previous company and our wages were paid on time every time and were correct. It seems like this contract with Eurest was a back door job.”

It was not revealed when the industrial action would take place, but the Courier was told that unless the matter was resolved, the strikes would go ahead.

A spokeswoman from Eurest Services said: “Eurest Services is not aware of any issues of long-term lack of payment in Warwick. We are dealing with a very small number of enquiries regarding payment which have arisen as a result of a change in the log-in system.

“We are managing these on an individual basis and should any employees be concerned, we would continue to encourage them to speak directly to their line managers who will resolve any issues as quickly as possible.”