Angry O2 workers disrupt AGM
Summary: Employees at mobile operator O2 are angry about pay and conditions
O2 employees and shareholders disrupted the company's annual meeting for shareholders yesterday to protest about pay and conditions.
In a heated atmosphere, O2 board members were labelled "fat cats" by shareholding workers, who are unhappy that pay is being frozen for some employees while top bosses are awarding themselves bonuses. Employees also hit out at the way they are treated by the firm, accusing it of bullying tactics.
The meeting, held in Reading, was picketed by the Communications Workers Union (CWU) as part of its campaign to raise pay for O2 employees.
According to The Guardian, one employee accused the O2 board of 'prostituting' its workforce, while one shareholder of pensionable age was carried out of the meeting by security guards after mounting the podium to call for the resignation of chief executive Peter Erskine.
O2 has claimed that the protests were coordinated by the CWU.
O2 has around 13 million customers in the UK, including business people and consumers.
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Talkback
As a minor shareholder (and a pensioner too!!) I equally deplore the excessive board room pay and perks. At no time should directors or senior management receive a greater pro rata increase than the lower staff levels.
I always consider that directors are employed on very good remuneration for their job. If they are not willing to do their job to the best of their ability for that remuneration then I for one don't want them.