MORE than 1,800 food workers have voted to continue being represented by GMB and Unite after bosses ripped up the previous contract without the standard notice period.

Staff at Bidfood, which provides delivery services for Five Guys, Subway and Manchester United, voted to keep their union voice today during a Central Arbitration Committee ballot.

Bidfood management ripped up the previous deal they held with the unions in January after recognising them for nearly 30 years.

The vote means Unite and GMB will continue in their role negotiating pay, terms and conditions on behalf of staff.

GMB national officer Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said it was a “resounding victory for Bidfood drivers who stood together with GMB and Unite to defend their right to be represented.

“Despite attempts to strip away recognition, workers have made it crystal clear they want strong, independent unions in their workplace.

“We now expect Bidfood to respect this democratic outcome and engage constructively with both unions.”

Bidfood chief operating officer said: “While the result was extremely close reflecting different views, we fully accept it and will work constructively with the recognised unions to establish a statutory recognition agreement with our transport teams.

“When we ended our voluntary agreement with the unions, we extended our already-established employee forums, in order to directly engage with all of our employees and ensure a broad representation of views and feedback.”

Bidfood also disputes the number of workers who took part in the vote. It told the Star that only 800 workers voted for representation, not 1,800.