'Last resort' as Hull cake firm staff stage 24-hour strike
HUNDREDS of workers at a cake firm in Hull have staged a 24-hour walk-out.
More than 400 workers took part in the industrial action at Greencore Cakes and Desserts in Amsterdam Road.
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Workers on stirke at the Greencore Cakes factory in Amsterdam Road, Sutton Fields.
The protest, which began at 5am on Wednesday, was used to voice their anger at what Unite the Union say are continued attacks on their pay and conditions.
Michael Page, a mixer at the factory, took his place on the picket line but said the protest was a "last resort."
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Mr Page, 48, said: "The way this company has treated us is disgusting.
"While some workers are losing their homes and can't afford to pay their bills, management are taking bonuses. It's not right.
"In 2010, we agreed to taking voluntary pay cuts to help the company but now they are refusing to reinstate the conditions.
"If this company is doing so badly, why are some people suffering when others are not?"
Last year, Greencore, was forced by a tribunal to pay back £1.2 million to its workers – however, the company has rebuffed the decision and instead issued new contracts to the workforce.
However, according to workers, the new contracts do not include the reinstatement of their original pay conditions.
Representatives from Unite joined workers at the protest.
Jennie Formby, national officer for the food industry at Unite, said: "Make no mistake, this company is being powered to super profits by the hard graft of our members – not content with this, it is out to snatch their wages too.
"Our members are being really patient but enough is enough.
"Even yesterday at its AGM, the company voted for fatter bonuses. How is that right?
"We want Greencore to sit down and talk to us because this is only going to escalate.
"Once again we appeal to the big retailers like Asda to get a grip on their supply chain. It is immoral for their tills to be stuffed when you know full well that this is money from workers kept on low wages by your contractors."
According to Unite, Greencore, whose revenue rocketed by about 45 per cent last year, is seeking to impose changes to terms and conditions and remove shift, overtime and bank holiday payments.
The strike was the first at the Hull site and hit production of cakes supplied to supermarkets including, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's.
Worker Wayne Holmes, 38, said: "This is beyond frustrating because they have already lost an employment tribunal but yet they are still not willing to give back what is rightfully ours.
"We have had no other choice but to strike and hopefully now they will get the picture. None of us want to be here striking today. We want to be at work earning money for our families."
10 Comments
by hugostiglitz
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:37PM
“I've heard of the Polish making £150 a day working on farms, I would've thought most of them would be aware that 2 days a week on minimum wage was a bit ****.”
by lee2908
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:01PM
“if id of known you were striking id of baked a cake ;baked a cake”
by dontwo
Thursday, January 31 2013, 7:24PM
“Rotten core must be owned and managed by idiots to treat its workforce like this. How long before this ailing company goes under through its own greed?. The supermarkets never want to be associated with dodgy suppliers once it comes out how the workforce is treat, so Rotten Core will soon be kissing those contracts goodbye if they dont come to an agreement soon.
Hope someone publishes the brand names these cakes are sold under, then boycott them, complain to the supermarket etc. Pressure from them onto Rotten Core might make them see fair play.
The supermarkets would act quick enough if it was an overseas supplier, so why not when it involves a British company?.
This place sounds like its being allowed to be run by a right set of greedy sly daft b@sta8ds.”
by profanity
Thursday, January 31 2013, 7:06PM
“The problem - and I speak with the insight of a good friend of mine who worked there - is that the Poles are prepared to bust their almonds for an unfair day's pay whilst we whingeing Brits aren't. They live in what we would consider squalour - but to them is normal - wheras we expect Sky, the cars and takeaways every day. When expectations are managed correctly the hubbub will die down and Rupert Murdoch, Domino's and Carcraft will be the only losers. Take note whingers - the opposition shop at charity shops, Aldi, Lidl and Heron. Where do you go?”
by KiminHull
Thursday, January 31 2013, 12:03PM
“Because they are a Union David, they cant start up a business to replace one that robs it's workers of their wages. They are there to protect terms and conditions. You are like a broken record, do you approve of the company ignoring a tribunal?”
by allwaysred1
Thursday, January 31 2013, 11:48AM
“The little cup cake...Jesdull...putting the world right again.Stating the obvious....:0) bless him.”
by David_Nivea
Thursday, January 31 2013, 11:28AM
“Why don't Unite start up their own cake company?”
by jezhull
Thursday, January 31 2013, 11:25AM
“I think strike action is avoidable in most cases, but the way this company has treated the workforce is appalling. How can they take part in a legally binding tribunal, then totally disregard the decision? The union's lawyers should be looking into forcing the company to comply with the decision. If they don't, what is the point of being in the unite union?”
by butterboy
Thursday, January 31 2013, 11:09AM
“guess you cant have your cake and eat it”
by dascodave
Thursday, January 31 2013, 10:53AM
“Pure capitalist greed,and this greed if not recognised by the big bosses will ultimately destroy the business......I'm with the workforce and vow not to buy any kind of baked produce from any of the supermarkets supplied by greencore and I urge others to do the same.....”