Apology demanded over ‘kick in the teeth’ for staff

The GMB general union has been shocked by comments made by a director of the AA motoring association, which, the union says, is seen as a “kick in the teeth” for undervalued staff.

The union has demanded an apology as members complained about views expressed by Steve Dewey, the AA’s director of roadside operations, in the company’s audio newsletter.

Low morale has been identified as a serious problem at the AA, with a recent survey by the GMB revealing the majority of staff (79%) saying they felt undervalued as employees.

Staff morale is likely to be hit further as the company is planning “efficiency savings”, including the introduction of compulsory overtime.

Dewey told the newsletter that he “did not worry too much about morale”.

He added that patrol staff are “still here”, implying that there was no problem with morale among its patrol staff.

GMB organiser Paul Grafton said: “These comments from a senior director of the AA are another kick in the teeth for hard-working patrol staff. The comments by the company just go to show why this is.”

Grafton added that the union is “calling on Steve Dewey to apologise to our members and commit to working with staff to improve morale”.