Locked out Gate Gourmet workers are angry that TGWU officers are putting pressure on those who have been selected by the company for compulsory redundancy to accept.
Union solicitors have sent letters to all those selected urging them to come into the local union office for interviews.
Mr S Sukhi told News Line on the picket line yesterday: ‘We are all going to stand together, we were locked out together and we will go back together.
‘They are trying to get people to sign the Compromise Agreement but it would give up all our rights – our right to claim unfair dismissal at an Employment Tribunal, to claim for our lost wages these past three months, and those made redundant agreeing never to work with any Gate Gourmet-related company in the future.
‘Those that the company would have back under its Survival Plan would be liable to be sacked for anything. They would then lose everything.
‘People are really angry with the union leaders, they are only trying to help the company not us.’
Mr A Singh said: ‘The Gate Gourmet trucks are going round with “Vacancies” signs on them, the company is inviting drivers and loaders in for interviews, if they are offered the job then they would have to sign the Compromise Agreement and accept the Survival Plan.’
Fellow picket Sarbjit said: ‘I advise all my colleagues not to sign the Compromise Agreement.
‘When this dispute started the union leaders said that we would all go back together but now they are saying to people please sign, please sign.
‘They are trying to break the unity and they are playing dirty games with all the staff. The Compromise Agreement is all for the company and nothing for us.’
Mrs Parmjit Verma said: ‘I am one of the 150 selected for compulsory redundancy, they are offering me £5,000 to sell my job.
‘The union leaders are brainwashing people saying that we have got a poor case for the Employment Tribunal and saying they will help get other jobs. They are begging people to sign the Compromise Agreement.
‘When this started I was locked in the canteen along with hundreds of my friends, we were then told to leave and some people were dragged out.
‘I’m going to the Employment Tribunal and I’m going to fight for my rights.’
