WORKERS are rebelling today against a decision by the Co-op to sell off part of its insurance business to a firm that refuses to recognise trade unions.
The protest will take place in Rochdale, the birthplace of Britain’s co-operative movement, where in 1844 a co-op was established as an alternative to profiteers who sold poor-quality and adulterated food and provisions to the working class.
Today’s Co-op business is huge, taking in insurance, banking and other services in addition to its well-known retail arm.
The company is to sell part of its insurance business to a company called Markerstudy, which will see 200 workers sacked.
Unite regional secretary Ritchie James said: “The management of Co-operative Insurance needs to wake up to the reality of their actions.
“The workforce won’t be silenced by their pleas of innocence. The planned sale of this insurance business is without question a betrayal of the values of the co-operative movement.
“The decision to sell this heavily unionised organisation to a company which has no regard for the voice of its employees has sent shock waves through our movement.
“The loss of 200 jobs simply adds insult to injury of this proud workforce.”
Rochdale Borough Council leader Allen Brett said: “As council leader for the town that gave birth to co-operation I am appalled at this disgraceful decision which goes against every progressive principle the Co-op has stood for since its foundation.
Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd, who is lodging an early-day motion in Parliament, said: “It’s not just me that expects a level of ethical behaviour by the co-operative movement, and that’s why the decision of Co-operative Insurance to ignore the needs of its own workforce is so unacceptable.”
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