Unite says Long Sutton and Wisbech workers resolve to strike will not be weakened by threats from Princes
A union says factory workers resolve will not be weakened by a ‘shameful’ company’s threat to withdraw all pay offers and reduce jobs by moving production abroad unless industrial action ends.
Unite the union members have been forming a picket line outside the Princes factories in Long Sutton and Wisbech in a dispute over pay.
They say Princes workers had been offered between a 4% and 7% pay rise dependent on salary by the previous owner, Mitsubishi. But this was later withdrawn by the firm’s new owners, Newlat which has since been offering a 3% pay rise.
But this could also now be withdrawn.
Yesterday (Thursday, January 24), the company’s chairman of the board, Angelo Mastrolia, said there was a ‘very real risk’ to jobs if the strike action continued into February. He also said that production of some brands could be moved to other sites - including abroad - and threatened to withdraw the 3% pay deal.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "If Princes thinks its threats will weaken workers’ resolve it has another thing coming. This is appalling behaviour from a shameful company. First it pulled the rug from under our members by reneging on a pay deal and now it is threatening their jobs with these union-busting tactics.
“Unite won't stand for such tactics and will be backing our members every step of the way in their dispute."
The union has also say that 3% offer is not above inflation at the time the offer was given and say they have not had a face-to-face meeting since the new owners came in.
Unite national food officer Paul Travers added: "The bullying tactics of Princes and its chairman are disgusting. The communities in which it operates and the customers who buy their products should know what sort of company they are - one who goes back on promised pay, spreads lies about their actions and now threatens their jobs by moving overseas.
"Unite and our members won't tolerate such bullying behaviour and will instead be upping our campaign for a fair day's pay."
