MPs wade in to Samworth Brothers pay row

Two more MPs have entered into the row over workers’ pay and the sacking of a unionised “whistleblower” at Leicestershire food manufacturer and distributor Samworth Brothers.

The firm, which employs 6,500 staff across the county, wrote to staff in January outlining cuts to “premium and overtime payments”- leading to some workers complaining that they would be worse off.

This was followed by Samworth Brothers sacking Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) member Kumaran Bose on 3 June. Bose had worked at the firm’s Kettleby Foods factory in Melton for 12 years. The BFAWU says Bose was sacked for “speaking out against the undemocratic nature of the pay restructuring”.

Jon Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South and Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden in Greater London, wrote to Samworth boss Alex Knight after Bose was sacked. They joined Labour MP for Leicester West Liz Kendall who wrote to Knight in April.

In his letter, Ashworth said: “My Party had concerns over the introduction of the so called National Living Wage as it is not a true ‘living wage’. But I was astounded to learn from the Bakers Union, BFAWU, that Samworth Brothers are making their own workers pay for the National Living Wage.

“The Leicestershire-based food giant, Samworth Brothers, have used the introduction of the National Living Wage to cut back on their staff’s paid breaks and stopped the unsociable hours’ premium rates and overtime.”

“The changes to staff’s working conditions resulted in a hundreds joining the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union.”

“It is disgraceful that one of the leading Union organisers who has spoken out against the pay restructuring was sacked earlier this month. Kumaran Bose was sacked after working for Samworth Brothers for 12 years. Kumaran Bose was sacked with no disciplinary record at Samworth Brothers. In fact, it appears that Kumaran’s only so called crime was to recruit workers at Samworth Brothers to the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union”

“I have written to Samworth Brothers to raise my concerns over the sacking of Kumaran Bose and to request that BFAWU is granted formal recognition at the site. I encourage all the workers to join BAFWU and to stand up for a fair and decent pay.”

“I have also asked The Chancellor and the Business Secretary if they have recently met Mark Samworth and whether he attended events requiring very large donations to the Tory Party. I was told that the lists of who The Chancellor and the Business Secretary have met will be released in due course.”

Late last week statement from Samworth Brothers attempted to dampen the row. A statement from the company said: “We are pleased to confirm that we have now concluded our consultation with employees in Leicestershire to create a more balanced and equitable pay structure.

“This has been a collaborative process during which we have continued to listen to and act upon feedback from our staff consultative committees.”

Samworth Brothers says the new proposals include:

– Leicestershire production employees benefiting from new rates which are considerably above the national living wage and we have guaranteed these rates for the next three years. It say it has included over 21-year-olds which also goes beyond the government guidelines.

– No employee will see their contracted pay go backwards.

– In addition, the company says it has enhanced its benefits package which includes private healthcare, subsidised staff facilities and a retail discount scheme. It also offers profit-related bonuses to all hourly paid staff.

The company also said it was investing an additional £5m in its wage bill, each year over the next three years, to pay for the pay increases.

Alex Knight, chief executive of Samworth Brothers, said: “I am extremely proud of the strong relationship we have always had with our staff. That is why I am delighted that after this period of consultation, which included extensive and direct dialogue with employees, we have achieved this outcome.

“As a family business we pride ourselves on our role in the local community, serving that community and being a trusted employer.”

Samworth Brothers owns brands such as Soreens and Ginsters. For the year ending 27 December 2014 Samworth Brothers made a profit of £33.1m on a turnover of £836.9m.