My name is Lukas and when I arrived in the UK from Poland, I had little understanding of trade unions. But I soon realised how important it was to be a member: if I had an accident; wanted a say on how to improve my pay and conditions; or if I needed legal advice, it was the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union that I found I could rely on. That’s why I have organised food workers for nearly a decade with the union.

Today, I’m asking you to support our campaign to gain union recognition at Samworth Brothers, a major food manufacturer which employs nearly 10,000 workers. 

You may not have heard of Samworth Brothers but I’m pretty certain you would have eaten their products before - they make the sandwiches for Tescos, supply pastries to Sainsbury’s and M&S and own the Ginsters and West Cornwall Pasty Co brands and many more. Yet their workers don’t get full sick pay, don’t get a fair wage and the company doesn’t recognise a trade union. 

That’s why I’m part of the Unionise Samworth Brothers campaign which wants to change all that. Samworth Brothers owes its success to Leicester and its workers. It wouldn’t be a successful, billion-pound company without the people who make its pies and pastries. 

And it should give back to those workers by paying them a proper, living wage. 

We demand that Samworth Brothers workers are:
– Paid a fair wage 
– Given full sick pay from day 1
– Allowed to join the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) as their recognised trade union

As a big business, Samworth Brothers sets the standard for other employers, especially in Leicester where it employs over 7,000 workers. Lots of them have already answered our survey telling us how they feel mistreated by management and don’t have a voice at work.  If their workers win, it becomes easier for everyone to fight for better pay and conditions.

These workers need your help to convince their employer that they have not just a human right but a moral right to choose to join a union to ensure the company upholds its promises to act responsibly. We need to raise the standards for all workers. If they are allowed to get away with unfair practices, everyone suffers.  

Visit our website and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more details about the campaign and for other ways you can help and get involved. 

Support Samworth Brothers’ workers by signing this petition and tell their bosses to give them a fair slice of the pie.