More than 1,800 staff at Bidfood – a company which delivers food for Five Guys, Subway and Manchester United, have voted to keep their union voice.
It means the workers, who also provide food for the army, prisons and schools across the UK, will continue to have GMB and Unite negotiating pay, terms and conditions on their behalf.
The unions had been recognised by Bidfood for more than thirty years – but in January Bidfood bosses ripped up the deal with immediate effect, without the standard notice period.
Now workers have voted the unions back in during a ballot held by the Central Arbitration Committee (CAC).
Both unions will now seek to re-engage with Bidfood management to rebuild constructive industrial relations and deliver fair outcomes for transport workers, while continuing their campaign to extend bargaining rights across the wider workforce.
Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB National Officer, said:
“This is a resounding victory for Bidfood drivers who stood together with GMB and Unite to defend their right to be represented.
"Despite attempts to strip away recognition, workers have made it crystal clear they want strong, independent unions in their workplace.
"GMB members have shown real determination throughout this process, and this result ensures their voices will continue to be heard on pay, safety and working conditions.
"We now expect Bidfood to respect this democratic outcome and engage constructively with both unions.
"Our focus now continues with the fight to secure bargaining rights on behalf of Bidfood warehouse workers, who also deserve a collective voice at work.”
