Table 1.
Case studies sector, union representation, workforce, and interviewees
| Case study | Sector | Representation | UK workforce | Interviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FoodCo | Food production | Union recognition | 2000 (900 in the case study); 50% women; predominantly agency workers; 25% migrant workers |
1 manager 1 union representative |
| SeafoodCo | Food processing | Union recognition | 3000 across three sites; 50% women; 33% agency workers; 20% migrant workers |
1 manager 1 union representative |
| PoultryCo | Food processing | Union recognition | 1500 (300 in 2 case‐study sites); 40% women; few agency workers; 50% migrant workers |
1 union officer 1 union representative |
| FastFoodCo | Food retail | No union recognition, limited union membership | 120,000; 50% women; zero‐hour contracts; 20% migrant workers |
1 union organiser 1 campaigner 1 worker |
| SupermarketCo | Food retail | Consultation and representation agreement alongside direct representation | 100,000; 56% women; dedicated labour agencies used for recruitment |
2 workers 1 union officer 1 manager |
| DistributionCo | Food distribution | Union recognition | 5500 (600 in the case study); 15% women; 15% migrant workers; some agency workers recruited during COVID‐19 |
1 union representative 1 manager |
| SupplierCo | Food distribution | Union recognition | 7000; 11% women; few migrant workers; predominantly permanent contracts with 10% agency workers recruited under COVID‐19 |
1 union officer 1 manager |
Abbreviation: COVID‐19, coronavirus disease 2019.