For over 20 years, I have been a dedicated and hardworking staff member at Sainsbury’s. I have always loved my job, worked with amazing colleagues and been a proud and loyal employee for a good employer.

And that’s what why it is so hard to speak out.

In March, Sainsbury’s announced wholesale contract changes across the organisation and spun them to the media as an ‘increase in basic pay’. But, because of these changes, I will be one of the thousands of long standing and loyal Sainsbury's staff who will see our wages plummet.

Here is the reality for shopfloor staff like me:

• Those of us who work unsociable hours over weekends will see our earnings slashed.
• Those of us who work through the night will only receive nightshift pay between 12am and 5am.
• We’ll all lose our bonuses (although not our “we’re in the money” CEO).
• We’ll no longer be paid through our breaks.
• And if we don’t accept the changes by September, then Sainsbury’s will dismiss us from our jobs.

I personally stand to lose over £1,000 per year. Some of my colleagues will lose as much as £3,000. And it is those of us who have been with the company the longest that will be hit the hardest. Against all Sainsbury’s values, I am being asked to ‘work well for less’ if I am to keep my job.

The morale at Sainsbury’s is lower than ever before, especially with the new uncertainty of how the Sainsbury's/Asda merger will pan out. Many of us are wondering if we can afford to continue to work here, whilst the prospect of seeking new employment in our 40s, 50s and 60s is extremely frightening.

I’m calling on Sainsbury’s to reconsider their position and to show a fraction of the loyalty to me and my colleagues that we have shown to them.

I’ve written this petition under a pseudonym to protect myself at work.