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Dispute at JDE is over
04/08/2021
81 per cent of coffee factory workers vote to accept the deal hammered out during three weeks of talks
The dispute at the JDE coffee factory is over. Workers at the plant on Ruscote Avenue have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new pay and employment conditions package.
In announcing the news Unite The Union said the deal removes the management’s proposal to ‘fire and rehire’ staff.
Unite members voted by 81 per cent on a 93 per cent turnout to accept the deal that was hammered out after three weeks of intensive talks with management in the long-running dispute.
As well as the removal of the management’s controversial ‘fire and rehire’ proposal, Unite says the deal safeguards pay and employment conditions, and provides compensation if an employee has to change shifts.
Unite national officer for the food industry Joe Clarke said: “We are delighted that our members have overwhelmingly accepted this deal in a democratic ballot – the scale of the endorsement shows that Unite’s stance during the dispute and in the tough negotiations reflected the wishes of the vast majority of the employees.
“The fact that ‘fire and rehire’ has been removed from the table is a major achievement for Unite and the Unite internal plant committee, and a tribute to the solidarity that our members have demonstrated throughout. Our members remain in the top 25 per cent of earners for this industry which is a key feature of the package now agreed.
“This outcome is as a result of an intense, high-profile industrial action and leverage campaign supported by the membership of Unite, the trade union movement and the community.”
In response to a small number of social media posts which had appeared criticising the deal Mr Clarke told Banbury FM: “Nearly 82 per cent of the workforce are happy with this package. We consulted with our members prior to going into the negotiation process, had their authority to negotiate on their behalf, and there might be a minority that don’t have the best interests of the site at heart. I’m there to represent the collective membership and I think that’s what we’ve done with the reflection of the deal.”
Following today’s announcement work will now begin at the factory to move forward under the new arrangements.
Mr Clarke said: “There is now an opportunity to rebuild relationships with the management in the months and years ahead. We are particularly keen to enter into constructive discussions about future investment opportunities at Ruscote Avenue.
“I would, once again, like to pay heartfelt thanks to our members, their families and the wider Banbury community for the tremendous level of support shown during the last six months.”
A JDE UK spokesperson said: “We are pleased that our associates have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the latest negotiated deal regarding changes to working practices at Banbury manufacturing.
“We thank our associates for their patience throughout the process and look forward to working together to create a better future for our factory in Banbury.”
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam