Unite has criticised housebuilder Taylor Wimpey for firing and rehiring some of its North East construction workers.

has handed dismissal notices to 31 joiners and 19 scaffolders for the purpose of saving money on bonus pay. Taylor Wimpey is planning to cut bonus pay by over 30 per cent. In construction, bonus pay frequently makes up half of workers' actual pay.

Termination notices were given to workers on 1 October, which they were forced to sign by 7 October. Taylor Wimpey is now planning to hire them on inferior contracts.

Workers, with the support of Unite, have attempted to raise concerns via several collective grievances and were denied their statutory right to do so. Meanwhile, they have also requested financial information which would have been vital for a meaningful consultation and to come to an agreement but this has never been supplied.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite will never stand by and allow the fire and rehire of our members. This is a cynical move by a highly profitable company which is choosing to prioritise profit over its hardworking staff.

"There is no justification for this decision. Unite will fight it every step of the way."

Taylor Wimpey is one of the biggest housebuilders in the UK. Its 2025 financial accounts showed it had an adjusted operating profit of £420.6m.

The firm has not provided any evidence of a financial necessity to make these changes at its North East base, located in Sunderland.

From 1 January 2027, under the 2025 Employment Rights Act, fire and rehire will be prohibited.

Unite is in the process of considering all options available including industrial, legal and political avenues to ensure the firing and rehiring of these workers is reversed.

Unite regional officer Greg Robson said: "Taylor Wimpey has serious questions to answer about how it has treated these workers. It is clear it is taking advantage of the fact fire and hire has not been outlawed.

"Unite will continue to support our affected members throughout this process, while pushing Taylor Wimpey for the information we are entitled to. We are also looking at all avenues to fight this, including industrial action."

ENDS

Notes to editors

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org