These accusations are originating from Assistant Manager Chlebanowski who was regularly instructing staff to use out of date ingredients in food production last year in York Way branch. He was also bullying staff. Witness Statement 1 states in paragraphs 6 and 7:

“In response to Mr Stopa’s concern with food safety standards, Mr Chlebanowski started bullying him. He spoke about Mr Stopa’s personal file openly in front of the team, he was forcing him to work more than six hours without a break and would point out any mistake Mr Stopa did in front of all team to humiliate him. Finally, on 1^st December 2011 Mr Chlebanowski raised a grievance against Mr Stopa alleging that Mr Stopa made homophobic comments against him.

I believe that this was a malicious grievance as I witnessed these comments and I don’t find them homophobic in any way which I repeatedly stated during the investigation. I believe that the true reason why Mr Chlebanowski raised this issue was his concerns that Mr Stopa would eventually report his practice of using out of date ingredients in production.”

Witness Statement 1

Witness Statement 2 states in paragraph 6:

“On 1^st December 2011 and 10^th January 2012 Mr Chlebanowski raised two grievances against Mr Stopa. I believe that both of these grievances were malicious as Mr Stopa opposed almost every day Mr Chlebanowski’s practice of using out of date ingredients. Mr Stopa was also aware of his basic worker’s rights which he pointed out to Mr Chlebanowski on a few occasions when he was trying to intimidate him or the other staff members. I believe that Mr Chlebanowski felt uncomfortable that Mr Stopa was working in his shop as he could eventually report any of these incidents. That is why he decided to get Mr Stopa dismissed so he can continue to bully staff members and instruct them to use out of date ingredients.”

In December 2011 and January 2012, Andrej challenged Mr Chlebanowski on the breach of food safety via two text messages. Although, Mr Chlebanowski knew what was the subject of these text messages he claimed that Andrej was threatening him. However, Pret didn’t deal with these accusations for 9 months. After Andrej established PAMSU on 1^st September 2012 he was finally called for the disciplinary hearing based on these malicious accusations and consequently dismissed even though he presented the statements from his colleagues to Pret. Clearly, Pret could not stand to have a whisle-blower and a trade union activist among their staff. Although, Pret was presented four statements from their staff that Mr Chlebanowski is instructing them to use out of date ingredients in food production, he was never investigated. Instead, he was recently promoted to the General Manager.

Andrej lodged in a claim to Employment Tribunal last week on the grounds that he was dismissed unfairly.

 

No pasaran!

The Pret a Manger Staff Union believes all Pret workers deserve enough pay and enough guaranteed hours to live on.

Because of this, the Union is demanding Pret pay all its staff the London Living Wage of £8.55 (£7.45 in the rest of the UK).

But we know that Pret won’t listen just because we ask nicely. We need you to get involved: join the union, talk to your workmates about the campaign, and attend the upcoming public actions which will put pressure on Pret to give us the wage and the hours we need.

What else does PAMSU do?

• Mentoring of workplace activists
• Training on the skills we need to get organised
• Legal support
• Supporting each other when raising grievances or fighting disciplinaries

What makes PAMSU different?

PAMSU is an independent union. That means no managers, no politicians, and no bureaucrats. We don’t rely on the law or the goodwill of the company when it comes to fighting for the interests of Pret workers.

Instead, PAMSU believes all Pret workers—whether you’re a barista, team leader, kitchen staff or any other position—should come together to support each other. Only by standing together will we make sure we get the respect we deserve. It’s only through solidarity that we’ll make Pret a better place to work.

So get involved today: pret.staff.union@gmail.com

No pasarán!

Pret a Manger decided to uphold Andrej’s dismissal, however, the fight goes on. The Union has many new members who are devoted to the Living Wage Campaign. PAMSU is not an isolated movement. It is a part of a global revolution that is knocking on the door. From London, Paris, Rome to Berlin, we will fight we will win! Two days ago, hundreds of fast food workers organized a strike for Living Wage in New York City.

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/11/30/hundreds_of_fast_food_workers_strike

This is an inspiration for PAMSU. Thousands of people all around the world are striving for a better pay. Once PAMSU get more members it will organize strikes like this and eventually force Pret to give us a decent pay. Get involved today and join the Union!

No pasarán!