Fire and rehire is an outdated, abhorrent practice that should be made illegal
When: 1.30pm Monday 28 March 2022
Where: Valeo Snackfoods, Low Poppleton Lane, York, YO26 6AZ
Striking Fox’s Glacier Mint workers are set to stage a mass protest on Monday [28 March 2022] telling bosses to drop their fire and rehire threat.
Workers will be joined by a giant polar bear, labour councillors and York Knights rugby players [TBC] at the event.
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.
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 – including the Prime Minister.
A mass GMB poll showed more than three quarters of the public want fire and rehire to be made illegal.
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“Fire and rehire is an outdated, abhorrent practice that should be made illegal.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.
“We’re here to say enough is enough – support your workers instead of trying to bully them into submission.”
