Bakers’ union members named as unsung pandemic heroes

Members of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) have been named as “unsung heroes” of the pandemic by Northamptonshire County Council, the Northampton Chronicle & Echo has reported

The workers are from the Moulton Park Greencore Factory in Northampton, which was hit by a high-profile Covid-19 outbreak last summer. A flare-up of cases of disease back in August was bad enough to make national news and put the whole town on the health secretary’s watchlist.

Behind the scenes, the factory’s active BFAWU members were busy working on staff safety. Throughout the year, they took action to publish safety notices, leaflets and Facebook statements in different languages for staff, and to hold weekly health and safety meetings in the factory.

Their efforts were effective at preventing further outbreaks and now the workers will receive a Rose of Northamptonshire Award for their dedication.

Branch secretary George Atwell said: “It’s historical if you ask me. The union and its members have worked tremendously hard this year and I’m privileged to represent this site and the branch.

“Our members have worked extremely hard this year to tackle the pandemic and work with the company to support workers.”