In 2010, the workers agreed to temporarily suspend premium pay rates and enhanced holiday pay rates from June 2010 to October 2011 in order to help the company during difficult trading conditions.
But the company refused to revert back to the workers original terms of employment after the deadline had past. As a result, the workers raised a group action for the unlawful deduction of wages, according to Unite.
Unite accused Greencore in Hull of impoverishing its workers by refusing to reinstate the payments when the majority were on the national minimum wage. But the company told the media back in July it “strongly refutes any suggestion that it has contravened employment law at any stage during the course of this process”. Unite waged a high profile campaign for at least six months to deliver justice for the workforce at Greencore.
Unite national officer, Jennie Formby, said: “It’s great news that the workers at this cake and dessert supplier to the country’s best known supermarkets eventually got justice. This situation could have been avoided, if Greencore had listened to the union and adhered to some basic ethical principles.
“Unite was not going to allow Greencore to break the law, attack union rights and the terms and conditions of the lowest paid workers in society. Many of these workers had to survive on poverty wages since management changed the terms, then broke their promise even though the Greencore Group is extremely profitable.
“However, this isn’t the end of the matter and our members are now discussing next steps in the union campaign to restore fairness to the contracts of employment that were unilaterally and unfairly changed by Greencore after Unite pledged to mount this legal challenge.”
A spokesperson from Greencore has commented on this news, saying: “This is an ongoing dispute with the union regarding premium rates. Greencore acknowledges the recent decision in the tribunal case in this matter. However, it is very important to note that the case has not concluded and, in particular, no specific claim has been agreed or stipulated by the tribunal.
“Further tribunal meetings are scheduled to take place over the next few months to bring the case to conclusion. Until that time, it is far too premature to discuss the Union claims.
“We believe that the management has a good dialogue with our colleagues at the Hull facility and our priority continues to focus on securing the long-term sustainability of the site and employment for the area.”
Source: Unite and Greencore
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