Hundreds of workers at a Spalding food factory have voted to take further strike action
Staff at Bakkavor are currently involved in a dispute over pay
Hundreds of food factory workers in Spalding are planning further strike action.
Staff at Bakkavor are currently involved in a dispute over pay.
They've been on strike since September but have now voted to continue their action indefinitely.
Union Unite says that Bakkavor’s customers which are major UK supermarkets like Waitrose, M&S and Tesco are seeing a shortage of products like dips and soups on their shelves.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
“If Bakkavor thought they could just hold out a bit longer and our members would go back to work with their tails between their legs they have another thing coming. Hundreds of our members voted overwhelmingly for further strike action and they will have the full backing of Unite as they continue their fight for fair pay.”
Donna-Maria Lee, Chief People Officer at Bakkavor says:
“We would like to thank the majority of our colleagues at our Spalding site who have decided to take no part in strike action and have reported to work as usual throughout the period.
"Beyond the fantastic show of loyalty from our 950 colleagues in Spalding that have kept the operation rolling during the period of industrial action, colleagues from other Bakkavor sites have also volunteered to work at Spalding and, for those who have chosen to do so, there is no change to their terms and conditions.
"As a business we have a primary duty to meet the demands of our customers and the general public who buy the products we make. The show of support from colleagues at our other UK sites is welcomed and demonstrates a commitment to support our customers and working colleagues.
"We were very disappointed the union recommended its members reject the pay deal – and the rejection caused an impasse (a ‘failure to agree’).
"Since then, we have offered the increases to rates of pay and the bonus to all colleagues at Spalding on an individual basis. Already more than 740 colleagues have accepted and welcomed the offer of the new rates - including some strikers who have chosen to end their dispute with the business.
"Despite Unite claims, our pay awards at Spalding have been above inflation over the past three years - something we are proud of given very few businesses have been able to achieve this.”