Workington strikes to cause Walkers and Kellogg’s packaging shortages

Strikes by workers employed by Amcor Packaging in Workington will cause shortages of Walkers crisps and Kellogg’s cereal packets, Unite have warned.

Around 100 workers will strike over Amcor’s six per cent pay offer.

The union argue this is a real terms pay cut as the real rate of inflation, RPI, stood at 9.1 per cent when the pay rise was due to be implemented in October 2023. The workers’ pay rise for 2022 was also six per cent below the level of the real rate of inflation at the time.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Amcor cannot expect its workers to swallow a real terms pay cut for the second year in a row. It can fully afford to put forward a fair pay offer. Unite does not tolerate attacks on our members’ jobs, pay or conditions and the Amcor Workington workforce have their union’s total support."

Amcor Packaging specialises in flexible packaging production, particularly for the food industry, including for the Walkers and Kellogg’s brands.

The workers perform a number of roles at the factory, including in printing, extrusion and lamination, and the strikes will cause significant disruption to Amcor’s operations.

The 24-hour strikes will take place on 29 May, 1 June, 3 June, 5 June and 9 June. Further industrial action will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.

Unite regional officer Ryan Armstrong said: "Kellogg’s and Walkers will not be happy they are facing packaging delays that could result in shortages for consumers. This is entirely the fault of Amcor for refusing to put forward a fair deal. Strike action can still be avoided but that requires an offer being made that our members can accept."

In response, a spokesman for Amcor said: "Amcor confirms we are currently in discussions with union representatives of our manufacturing site in Cumbria, UK on the topic of wage adjustments.

"Following a ballot, we have received notification from the union of a limited strike action at Cumbria commencing next week.

"Amcor respects the right of our employees' voices to be expressed and heard.

"Meetings with the union representatives are ongoing, and the aim of the company is to reach an agreement that benefits our employees whilst maintaining the competitiveness of the site.

"During this period, we will continue to focus on safe working practices for our employees, and providing uninterrupted service to our customers.

"We do not expect the strike to have a negative impact on our customers’ supply of packaging."