Valeo in Cleckheaton, which produces Traditional Hard Gums and Fruit Jellies for the likes of Sainsbury’s, ASDA, M&S and Aldi, has been banged to rights, says GMB Union.

GMB Union has successfully settled a claim for compensation for members at the Valeo Factory in Cleckheaton, after a local manager tried to induce union members to accept a change to their contracts in 2022. 

GMB Organiser, Andrew Aldwinkle, said: 

“Our members reported to us that whilst we were still involved in negotiations around a change in contracts for these workers at the Cleckheaton site, a local manager approached them and tried to persuade them to accept what was on the table.

 “Workers have a right to join a union and where enough of them do, that union becomes the negotiating body.

 “Valeo tried to by-pass that basic right and have paid the price.

 “Thanks to their rogue manager, our members got a further and unexpected boost in their bank accounts.”

 Peter Davies, Senior Organiser, added: 

 “The total pay-out was in excess of £50,000 and if management had put that into their pay budget, then the entire workforce could have benefitted.

 “Perhaps that's a lesson for this year's pay negotiations.”  

 “GMB Union has been involved in contract and pay disputes at several Valeo sites across Yorkshire and has raised serious concerns about the way Valeo treats its workforce and will continue the fight for decent pay and better terms and conditions.”