INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT PENNINE FOODS, SHEFFIELD

That this House is disturbed by widespread reports that employers across the country are seeking to offset the costs of the new National Living Wage by undermining the terms and conditions of employment of their staff; believes that the attempted imposition of new contracts at the Pennine Foods plant in Sheffield, part of the 2 Sisters Food Group, is yet another example of this; notes that workers have been told they face dismissal if they refuse to sign the new contracts, which union members have rejected in successive ballots; further notes that, whilst low paid workers are under attack, 2 Sisters Chief Executive Ranjit Singh Boparan and his wife have amassed a fortune of £430 million and feature in the Sunday Times Rich List; supports the members of the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union in taking industrial action over the imposition of new contracts; and calls on the management of Pennine Foods and 2 Sisters Food Group to drop the threat of dismissal and to open meaningful negotiations with the union.