Usdaw strike ballot

As Labour Research went to press, retail union Usdaw was balloting members for strike action at BCM Fareva over the company’s threat to fire and rehire 800 workers if they don’t accept worsened contracts.

The pharma and beauty products manufacturer, which supplies Boots among others, plans to slash members’ terms and conditions, including sick pay and redundancy payment provisions.

Usdaw national officer Daniel Adams said: “The proposal to drastically cut sick pay and other terms and conditions for these key workers, who have given their all through the coronavirus pandemic, is totally unacceptable.”

The company has refused Usdaw requests to remove the threat of fire and rehire to “allow meaningful consultation to take place”.