Unite the Union calls on Spalding Bakkavor workers to reject latest pay deal

Union bosses are urging members to reject the latest pay deal from a food giant after the latest set of talks fell down.

Unite the Union has been running a picket line outside Bakkavor’s Spalding West Marsh Road factory for the last six weeks - and the strike looks set to continue.

The union says they are close to having 500 people on the picket line after an additional 25 people decided to join the strike.

And the latest set of pay talks have broken down after union reps are encouraging workers to turn down the latest offer made by the company on Tuesday. The news comes after Unite took its protest to Iceland and the firm’s major shareholders.

In a statement on social media Unite stated: “Let’s be clear about why this offer is insufficient:

“In April, the minimum wage will increase to £12.21, which means we’ll be right back where we are today, fighting for a fair wage to keep up. This offer does the bare minimum to avoid real investment in your future, your well-being, and your value.

“The £350 lump sum the company is offering is taxed and subject to national insurance deductions and it breaks down to just £6.73 a week before these deductions. This small amount is offensive and shows what the company thinks you’re worth, far below the true value of your hard work and dedication.

“The price of goods has gone up by 30.9% over the last three years, whilst we have only received real terms pay cuts of around 16% in this period, the company is quoting inflation for this year which isn’t relative to the cost of goods that we face everyday.

“We are calling on you to stand together and reject this offer.”

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