In July 2014, Hovis told workers at its Leicester bakery that it was planning to close the site, with the loss of more than 200 jobs. The bakers’ BFAWU union said the workforce had been left “devastated” by the news. And with a formal consultation period of just 45 days and the first phase of redundancies taking place as early as September, it had little time to set up information, advice and guidance (IAG) sessions for the workers affected.

The situation worsened when the workforce and union received the news that the second phase of redundancies would be brought forward from January 2015 to November 2014.

Fortunately for BFAWU Project Workers Janet Goodwin and Karen Plasom, they were able to call on the Unionlearn Midlands team. Unionlearn Senior Union Support Officers Lisa Stones and Mick Brightman came to the Leicester site to help Janet and Karen and the BFAWU reps at the bakery (Branch Secretary Nicky Sheemar, Shop Steward, Safety Rep and Union Learning Representative (ULR) Richard Shurmer. Shop Steward and ULR Lukasz Bemka and Shop Steward and Safety Rep Sam Mazhar) to provide much needed support and information.

They delivered IAG on the learning and training opportunities on offer and between them managed to set up interviews for every member of staff on every shift who wanted one, to make sure that they were aware of the training opportunities on offer, and had advice on increasing their employability.

“Lisa and Mick just kept me sane!” said Janet. “We had just two weeks to carry out the interviews and it was a very emotionally draining time. Redundancy doesn’t just impact on you, it affects your whole family – your finances, your ability to pay your mortgage for example. People really opened up to us about their fears for the future.”

She added: “I’ve found that in a redundancy situation, it takes a while for people to accept that it is actually going to happen. Many go into denial until about two weeks before they are due to leave when it suddenly hits home. Often, it’s only then that they take up the offer of help and advice and that makes timescales even more difficult.”

Hovis set up and paid for fork lift truck driving courses and Security Industry Association (SIA) accredited security guard training. JobCentre Plus, the National Careers Service and Derbyshire Business College (DBC) also provided support and information to the workers being made redundant. 

In total, around 40 people took up the offer of the company-paid training, while around 30 opted to enrol on courses ranging from security guard training to CV writing and other employability skills courses at DBC. Around 20 workers were able to transfer to the Hovis bakery in Nottingham and others have since found work at the nearby Bradgate and Geary’s bakeries.

The BFAWU made sure that members of the union and non-members alike were all offered support.  “The Unionlearn Midlands team gave us a lot of support. We knew that if people didn’t have up to date CVs and email addresses they would struggle – not only to find jobs, but even to claim out-of-work benefits,” said Nicky. “While some have found new jobs, many have had to take a pay drop and are now working for the national minimum wage with no enhancement for overtime, rather than union-negotiated terms and conditions. Sometimes people used to say to me: “What does the union do for us? Now, unfortunately, they are seeing the difference unions make.” 

Janet added: “In a situation like this, I support the union reps, but sometimes I need a sounding board and that’s Mick and Lisa. They are my rock.”