Tetrosyl ‘fire and rehire’: Usdaw gives notice of an industrial action ballot and calls on the company to withdraw their new contracts

Usdaw, the trade union for staff working at car care products manufacturer Tetrosyl and Tetrosyl Express, has given notice of an industrial action ballot over a dispute about the company using ‘fire and rehire’ to reduce terms and conditions for staff at their Rochdale site.

Tetrosyl, the UK-based manufacturer of car care products, has been accused of attempting to push through inferior contracts by dismissing staff from their current terms and re-engaging them under new ones. The changes are expected to take effect from 1 January 2026.

Affected employees have been taking part in one-to-one meetings with management, with the final sessions expected to concluding on the 6th of November.

Michelle Byrne – Usdaw area organiser says:

We are appalled that Tetrosyl is engaging in immoral ‘fire and rehire’ tactics and it is deeply regrettable that the company’s refusal to withdraw their new contract has forced us into holding an industrial action ballot. The new contract results in warehouse staff pay being reduced by between £4,000 and £7,000 per year, due to the removal of a shift supplement and paid breaks.

This ballot follows the recent one-to-one consultations where Tetrosyl informed our members that if they did not agree to the reduced contractual terms, they would have their current contract terminated and be re-engaged on the new reduced terms. Usdaw views the new terms in their current form as totally unacceptable, especially given the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting members and the continuing contribution they make to the success of the business.

Fire and rehire is a Victorian-style practice and the Government has brought forward measures as part of the Employment Rights Bill to prevent employers from using it to downgrade terms and conditions of employment. Usdaw continues to work with the Government to deliver the new deal for workers in full; to improve rights and make jobs more secure and better paid with fairer employment standards. It is only right that good employers are not undercut by those who seek to exploit workers.

Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North, the constituency where the manufacturers’ Rochdale site is located, said she had contacted the company directly but was disappointed by their refusal to reconsider. She said:

This behaviour has no place in 2025. Hardworking staff deserve fairness, certainty, and dignity – not to have their terms stripped through backdoor tactics. We stand with Tetrosyl’s employees and thank Usdaw for fighting their corner.