Usdaw to call another day of action in a ‘fire and rehire’ dispute at Tetrosyl

Usdaw, the trade union for staff working at car care products manufacturer Tetrosyl and Tetrosyl Express, has given the company notice of a sixth day of industrial action from 6am on Friday 30 January, in a dispute over the company’s use of ‘fire and rehire’ to reduce terms and conditions for staff at their Rochdale site.

Michelle Byrne – Usdaw area organiser says:

Tetrosyl management have not started the New Year with a fresh approach and have yet again failed to engage with Usdaw to seek a resolution to his dispute. Our members’ resolve remains strong after they voted overwhelmingly to challenge this immoral use of ‘fire and rehire’, despite management’s dirty tricks. Last year, one worker was unfairly dismissed; the company illegally brought in agency workers to try to break the strike, which is a criminal offence; and management refuses to engage with Usdaw, forcing us to rely on legal processes in an attempt to secure an agreement.

The company can avert the strike on 30 January by getting round the table with Usdaw, so that together we can find a satisfactory resolution to this dispute. Our members work hard for the company and deserve the terms and conditions of employment that they currently enjoy. The business was able to pay shareholders a dividend of £2 million last year. Yet, as it stands, warehouse staff are set to lose between £4,000 and £7,000 per year, due to the removal of terms such as a shift supplement and paid breaks. It is only fair that our members should be rewarded for their contribution to the profitability of the business and not pay a ‘fire and rehire’ penalty.