At these unprecedented times, we all need to work together says GMB Union

Wilko has scrapped a plan to slash sick pay for tens of thousands of workers after a GMB campaign.

The company had planned to cut sick pay entitlement for every member of staff in stores and distribution centres, enforcing no company sick pay after the first occasion of sickness and no sick pay for anyone who had been at the company for less than a year.

The company now acknowledges that, in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak, ‘now is not the time’ to slash sick pay for tens of thousands of workers.



Gary Carter, GMB National Officer, said:

"At these unprecedented times, we all need to work together to protect businesses, as well as the income and health and safety of workers.

"We welcome Wilko’s announcement they will scrap proposed changes to the sick pay.

"This is a massive relief to tens of thousands of workers in Wilko stores, the supply chain and head office.

"We look forward to constructive talks with the company before any future changes are put in place."

The retail giant only narrowly avoided strike action last year over ‘punishing’ changes to their weekend working rota.

