Striking workers at the Valeo sweet factory in York are planning a mass protest next week.
Staff at the Low Poppleton Lane confectionery plant have been on strike for a week over the ‘fire and rehire’ threat from bosses.
Workers will be joined by a giant polar bear, city councillors and possibly York Knights rugby players at the event on Monday at 1.30pm.
Staff at Valeo York, who also make Poppets and humbugs, mint assortments butter mints, rhubarb and custards and lemon sherberts for well-known supermarkets including M&S, are on strike “following attacks on their pay, terms, and conditions,” the GMB says.
They have been told by bosses they will be fired and re-hired unless they agree to a new contract which reduces their holiday and pay – which some have through fear of losing their job.
Fire and rehire as a negotiating tactic has been roundly condemned by politicians of all stripes since the P&O Ferries scandal – including the Prime Minister.
Katherine Mitchell, GMB organiser, said:
Fire and rehire is an outdated, abhorrent practice that should be made illegal.
It’s never acceptable.
Valeo bosses are trying to impose a real terms pay cut on these loyal workers in the midst of the worst cost of living crisis in a generation.
During the strikes, managers haven’t allowed striking workers to use canteen or toilet facilities and called the police on a lawful picket.
She added: “We’re here to say enough is enough – support your workers instead of trying to bully them into submission.”
A GMB poll showed more than three quarters of the public want fire and rehire to be made illegal.