CONFECTIONERY workers who make Fox’s Glacier Mints at their factory in York launched strike action today against a notorious fire-and-rehire attack on their pay and conditions.

One striker dressed as a polar bear, the sweet’s emblem, as they protested in the city today against their employer Valeo Foods.

Workers are staging daily two-hour walkouts after bosses told them they will be fired and rehired unless they agree to a new contract that reduces holidays and pay.

The protest was supported by Labour councillors and members of the York Knights rugby team.

Union GMB said some workers had been pressured into signing the new contracts for fear of losing their jobs.

GMB organiser Katherine Mitchell said: “Fire and rehire is an outdated abhorrent practice that should be made illegal. It’s never acceptable.

“Valeo bosses are trying to impose a real-terms pay cut on these loyal workers in the midst of the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. 

“During the strikes, managers haven’t allowed striking workers to use canteen or toilet facilities and called the police on a lawful picket.

“We’re here to say enough is enough: support your workers instead of trying to bully them into submission.” 

A Valeo Foods statement said: “We have engaged in a very constructive conversation with our colleagues as part of a routine annual pay review process, however a very limited number of employees have made the decision to take industrial action. 

“The site will continue to operate as normal.”