News / Old Market
Bakery staff strike for second day
Around a dozen people gathered outside a bakery in Old Market on Friday morning to lend their support to staff who have gone on strike.
The strike was called by workers who claim colleagues have been unfairly dismissed.
It has been claimed that every member of staff at Assembly Bakery was given one week’s notice, with staff then contacted individually to tell them whether or not they would be staying or leaving.
Out of nine staff, Bristol24/7 understands that five have kept their job and four have had their employment terminated.
Bristol24/7 has attempted to contact James Dingle, one of the directors of Assembly Bakery, but has yet to receive a response.
The Assembly Bakery Ltd currently has two directors, Dingle and Jodie Sargeant. Former mayor George Ferguson remains an active director of the Assemblies Ltd – the company behind No.1 Harbourside, The Canteen and the Old Market Assembly – but he has never been involved in the bakery.
Striking workers are asking that all of those who have been fired are given confirmed employment in one of their shareholders’ sister companies or to be furloughed until September 30 or until trading at the business improves.
They have pledged not to return to work until those conditions have been met.
On the picket line outside the bakery on Friday morning, one of the employees who is set to lose his job said that it was “amazing” to have so much support.
Alex, 29, from Horfield, the longest serving member of staff, said: “Many people who work in hospitality and retail feel mistreated and disrespected.
“We hope this can be an example to other people. You can defend your rights as an employee, organise and decide not to come to work.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: New bakery opens in Knowle West
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