Hope for agreement for Southall workers at Pilgrim site

Recent negotiations between trade union GMB London and ready meals manufacturer Pilgrim Food Masters over workers terms and conditions and employment at its site in Southall are said to have been “positive”.

Speaking to EALING.NEWS, Perry Phillips, GMB London region organiser said: “Over past couple of days through a collaborative approach by GMB and Pigrim Food Masters, there is possibly a positive outcome through the negotiations that have taken place.”

Pilgrim, which supplies a number of supermarkets including Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose bought Kerry Food Group that included Noon in 2021.

In a previous statement, Pilgrim’s Food Masters said: “Against the backdrop of a difficult economic environment and declining volumes in our chilled meals business, we need to make changes that help sustain our business and safeguard the jobs of our people.

“Throughout this process, our aim has always been to secure the best possible outcome for our people, proposing only the minimum changes that are required to support the future viability of the business and bring our T&Cs in line with industry standards.

“We are still in the middle of the consultation; we continue to seek positive solutions with the GMB union and are committed to retaining our current valued workforce.”