Staff working at a factory in Nottingham which produces products for Boots have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action unless the company withdraws what have been described as "threats".
Back in May officials at Usdaw, which represents the shop and distribution workers, said a strike ballot would be held following a year-long dispute with BCM Fareva.
The French firm provides skin care and pharma products and employs around 800 people at its site in Thane Road, Beeston. About 300 of these workers are part of the union.
Usdaw says the company made 'fire and re-hire threats', pre-emptively threatening to fire and rehire staff if an agreement could not be reached on the proposed changes, as well as cutting sick pay and other terms and conditions for staff members.
Until 2017 the factory was under the ownership of US-based Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) before Fareva acquired BCM the same year.
Usdaw says its members have now voted more than 90% in favour of industrial action at the site and Fareva has been informed of this decision.
Daniel Adams, Usdaw's National Officer, said: “The proposal to drastically cut sick pay and other terms and conditions for these key workers, who have given their all through the coronavirus pandemic, is totally unacceptable.
“Coupled with the unnecessary threat to ‘fire and rehire’ staff before we had even started discussions, the company’s course of action means we have been left with little choice other than to ballot our members for industrial action.
“Over 90% of Usdaw members have now voted in favour of industrial action, which shows the strength of feeling on the company’s proposals and their confrontational approach. Only BCM Fareva can stop this now and prevent a strike by withdrawing their ‘fire and rehire’ threat.”
Boots and BCM Fareva were contacted for comment.
