The action was backed by almost 90% of Usdaw members at the site after BCM Fareva proposed slashing members’ terms and conditions, including sick pay and redundancy payment provisions, while threatening to ‘fire and rehire’ staff if agreement cannot be reached on the proposed changes.
 
Daniel Adams - Usdaw National Officer says: “Our members have been left with little option other than industrial action given the company is now carrying out its threat to ‘fire and rehire’ staff to impose drastic cuts in sick pay and other terms and conditions. Even the current Prime Minister has said that use of ‘fire and rehire’ is ‘unacceptable as a negotiating tactic’. We certainly do not believe it is appropriate for these key workers, who have given their all through the coronavirus pandemic.
 
“Nearly 90% of Usdaw members voted to strike in the industrial action ballot, which shows the strength of feeling on the company’s proposals and their confrontational approach. Usdaw has consistently reiterated its willingness to talk if the company withdraw from ‘firing and rehiring’ our members, including under the auspices of ACAS if necessary. Sadly this has been repeatedly rejected by the company. However, the offer remains and the company could still stop further industrial action if they pull back.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with over 400,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion