'Fire and rehire': National day of action

TODAY, 26 April, we’re holding a national day of action, demanding the government end fire and rehire now.

While the pandemic continues to create misery, unscrupulous employers – many in profit and some even claiming government financial support — are cynically exploiting the crisis to force workers to sign up to thousands of pounds of wage cuts and worse conditions or lose their jobs.

It’s estimated that one in 10 workers have already been threatened with fire and rehire, and many more will be as furlough comes to an end.

We need Unite members to come together, up and down the country, to show solidarity with members under threat of fire and rehire and make clear to bullying bosses that we won't stand for it.

Businesses have been supported by government. Workers should be treated fairly too. Yet although some government ministers have described fire and rehire as “bully-boy” tactics, it’s still legal. That’s why Unite is calling on the government to bring legislation to outlaw fire and rehire.

We will be working with the Unite group of MPs to maximise all available opportunities in Parliament. With your support your MP will get the message loud and clear – this intimidation should be banned.

There are a number of ways that you can support this campaign:

1) A socially distanced, covid-safe group photograph with a banner/posters – materials are available in regional offices.

2) Distribution of leaflets within workplaces

3) Share images and videos on social media using #EndFireAndRehire hashtag and tag @UnitePolitics

4) Invite your local MP/Councillor candidate to visit demonstrations to show solidarity

7) Write to your local paper

8) Email your MP and get them to sign this Early Day Motion (EDM) in Parliament.

Resources such as leaflets will be available on www.endfireandhire.com

Please do get involved, and help us show that Unite members are front and centre of the fight against this abhorrent practice.

We are winning the fight in workplaces, now let’s win it in Westminster.

Workers fighting fire and rehire

Aerospace members refused to be bullied

Strikes at the aerospace parts firm SPS have been called off after a deal was reached to end ‘fire and rehire’ threats that would have resulted in staff losing up to £3,000 a year.

Read more.

Jacobs Douwe Egberts bosses acting like they’re in Victorian times

Despite a forty per cent increase in profits, bosses at coffee-makers Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) are threatening their workers that they could be fired and rehired. They are now trying to stop workers from taking summer holidays to thwart industrial action taken in response to these threats. Read more.

Elections across the UK on 6 May

With last year’s elections postponed due to the pandemic, polling stations will be open across the whole of the UK on 6 May as directly elected mayors, councillors, London assembly members, the Scottish parliament, Welsh Senedd, and police commissioners are all up for elections.

This is a huge set of elections, please make sure you vote and have your say. Unite Hospitality's political power

Ahead of the Scottish parliamentary elections, our hospitality branch in Glasgow provided a great example of just what can be achieved through member-led organisation that uses politics to achieve industrial aims. They organised a hospitality hustings, inviting politicians from across the political spectrum to talk about what they, and their parties, will do if elected to support hospitality workers.

Caitlin Lee, Chair of Glasgow Hospitality and Service Industries Branch said: ‘Getting those politicians in a room and pledging support for our Charter will make the industry a safer, fairer and better industry. Organising in this way gives us so much more power and clout. As trade unionists, we should be engaging politically.

“It was so important this was a member-led, member-organised hustings. It was us, as workers, who are bringing the pro-active change towards our industry.

“Our industry is one that we struggle for equality, health and safety, and this year financially, and the only way you can get accountability for these situations is to get the stories out there and get politicians to understand. We got all six candidates to sign up to our Charter, and we can now move forward in making Glasgow a Fair Hospitality city by 2022.” Workers Memorial Day

Workers' Memorial Day, held on 28 April every year, brings together workers and their representatives from all over the world to remember the dead and fight for the living. This year’s theme is: Health and Safety is a fundamental workers' right

Read more about how to get involved on our website

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