Workers at Valeo, manufacturer of Poppets, Fox’s Glacier Mints and Mint Humbugs will stop production
Dozens of GMB members working at Valeo Confectionary will down tools on Monday [21 March 2022] in a dispute over pay and ongoing attacks to their terms and conditions.
The York factory manufacturers Fox’s Glacier Mints, Poppets, Mint Humbugs and own brand sweets for the UK’s biggest supermarkets.
Attempts by GMB to bring the company back to the table to re-open negotiations have so far not been taken up by the company.
Beleaguered workers have been left with no choice but to stop production lines as they walk out at 5pm.
Katherine Mitchell, GMB Organiser, said:
“GMB members never make the decision to take industrial action lightly.
“However, as inflation and the cost-of-living soars, our members have been left with choosing whether to buy food or heat their homes.
“Valeo is profitable thanks to the hard work and commitment of our members, and they deserve to have this recognised through decent rates of pay and having the terms and conditions respected.
“Instead, Valeo choose to offer our members a derisory below inflation two-year deal, reduce annual leave and overtime premiums, and attack their right to organise for better pay and conditions through the GMB as their trade union.”
“This is an absolute kick in the teeth for a workforce that bent over backwards to keep the supply chain going right throughout the pandemic.”
