Milking workers

An escalating row over recognition at Milk & More is threatening the morning pinta for thousands of people across the UK.

Unite has launched a new recognition campaign at the food and drink company after a sudden deterioration of industrial relations with new owners, linked to Nijjar Group.

Milk & More is one of the UK’s biggest doorstep delivery services, is accused of silencing workers’ voices and has drawn widespread criticism after formally moving to derecognise Unite and fellow union Usdaw, cutting off formal representation for its workforce and ending decades of collective bargaining.

Milk delivery workers rise before dawn to ensure pints are waiting outside households, but the bosses move threatens these means they could be with a union from Saturday 25 October 2025, and doing their morning round without a collective say about the issues that affect them.

This means:

Milk & More trades as MoreCo Group Limited, which is now owned by the same individuals who control the Nijjar Group Freshway Holdings Limited — a web of connected companies known for aggressive cost-cutting and a lack of transparency over labour relations. 

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is a disgrace that a company built on the backs of its workers is now attempting to de-recognise unions. Milk and More’s owners are not interested in dialogue or decency — they want complete control

“Unite won’t stand for such union-busting tactics and we are immediately launching a campaign to boost membership and win back recognition. The bosses of Milk and More need to think again.”

The derecognition move seeks to eliminate union-negotiated pay deals, shut workers out of discussions over health and safety, and leave key workplace decisions entirely in the hands of management. 

While Milk & More promotes itself as a sustainable, community-first business, workers say the company’s internal actions reflect a stark shift toward corporate control and away from fair, accountable working practices.

Unite Regional Officer Perry Wright said: “This is a textbook case of union busting. Milk & More has stripped workers of their collective voice to impose its agenda without resistance.”

“Every worker has the legal right to union representation. This fight is about more than Milk & More — it’s about stopping a dangerous precedent where companies think they can sideline the very people who make their business possible.”

Unite’s campaign will see it launch a statutory application to regain collective bargaining rights for Milk & More employees. All workers are being urged to join the union, and sign the recognition petition. 

Unite is also calling on the wider public, political leaders, and the labour movement to support the campaign to defend basic union rights.

The campaign is asking people to take a moment to let Moreco Group Director, Vinesh Shah, know their behaviour is leaving a sour taste.

By Keith Hatch