TSSA wins end to Thomas Cook pay freeze

Press release 29 October 2002

TRAVEL trade union TSSA has welcomed the announcement from Thomas Cook that it is ending its pay freeze as a win for its members.

The company announced that staff would receive 2 per cent of their annual salary as a lump sum to cover the period of the pay freeze, from November 2001 to November 2002.

Thomas Cook have also opened up pay negotiations for 2003, which could see staff receiving additional compensation.

TSSA's 3,000 members in Thomas Cook have been campaigning for an end to the pay freeze introduced last November.

Over 1,500 wrote to company boss Alan Stewart in an organised write-in and hundreds of MPs across the country have been lobbied, calling for fair pay in the company.

Up until now, Thomas Cook UK had been claiming that they could not afford to lift the pay freeze. However, the 2.4 per cent pay rise given to staff in its German operation demonstrated that was not the case.

TSSA Negotiations Officer Seyi Clement said: "This is a win for TSSA's members.

"Our members knew the pay freeze was unfair and they campaigned long and hard for this victory. We were certain of our case and have had our position vindicated.

"They know that, to be successful, the travel trade has to value its workers and treat them fairly. We're glad that Thomas Cook has recognised this by lifting the freeze. It's just a shame that Mr Stewart didn't listen to us sooner- the freeze has really dented staff morale.

"Now TSSA looks forward to working with Thomas Cook on the new pay negotiations and building on our positive relationship for the future."