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.
 
Striking Usdaw members received the full support of Nottingham Labour MPs, Lilian Greenwood and Alex Norris, who both expressed deep concerns about the use of ‘fire and rehire’ to impose changes in contractual terms.
 
Daniel Adams - Usdaw National Officer says: “Following the overwhelming support for the 24 hour strike last week it is deeply disappointing that the company has not agreed to pause its plans to allow for dialogue with the trade union. Management’s actions have left our members with little option other than to continue with industrial action until the company reverses their confrontational approach. We cannot negotiate with a gun to our heads.
 
“BCM’s proposals to dramatically reduced terms and conditions are a heartless and unfair response to the hard work and dedication these key workers have given throughout the pandemic. Rights to pensions, redundancy pay, and sick pay are all at jeopardy under the new contracts being offered. The only dialogue management were willing to engage with was after they issued the notices threatening to dismiss and re-engage in March.
 
“We cannot stand by and watch employers do this. Usdaw is prepared to talk and reach a settlement, including under the auspices of ACAS if necessary, if the company withdraws from ‘firing and rehiring’ our members. The offer remains on the table 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 380,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion