WAITROSE, TESCO AND SAINSBURY’S CURRY COMPANY WORTH £4 BILLION HITS 1,000 LOW PAID WORKERS WITH FIRE AND REHIRE THREAT

Boss pockets £6.5 billion while slashing terms for food makers

A food company worth £4 billion which makes own brand curries for the likes of Waitrose, Tesco and Sainsbury’s is threatening 1,000 workers with fire and rehire.

Pilgrim’s Food Masters which also supplies Aldi and Morrisons, has told workers at its site in Southall (formerly Noon) they will be sacked and reemployed on worse terms and conditions – including no paid breaks, reduced sick pay and the removal of Diwali holiday pay.

The company claims the cuts are needed to save cash – but has not provided any financial justification to support its proposed changes to employees’ terms and conditions.

Meanwhile Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, which bought the Kerry Food Group including Noon in June 2021, is estimated to be worth more than £4 billion worldwide.

Accounts show current president and Chief Executive Fabio Sandri’s remuneration was a staggering £6.5 million which included a £700,000 salary and £1.2 million bonus.

Mathew Galvanoni, Chief Financial Officer, received a remuneration package worth $£1.5 million and included a £400,000 bonus on top of basic pay of £300,000.

Perry Phillips, GMB London Region Organiser said:

“We should all be disgusted that there is a Chief Executive who is receiving a bonus of £1.2 million whilst deciding workers in the UK no longer deserve a paid break and need to work longer shifts.

“Noons was a well-respected business that made a positive contribution to the local community.

“It is devastating for our members that this multi-billion-dollar company has come in and is treating them so badly.”

“GMB met with supermarket clients who clearly believe in investing and valuing their staff and are willing to support GMB’s call for Pilgrims to comply with the Ethical Trading Initiative codes of practice.”