Union chief to visit striking Bakkavor workers in Spalding and accuses factory bosses of ‘greed’

A union chief will address striking factory workers today — and accused the company of ‘greed’ in not settling the dispute.

Employees at Bakkavor’s site in West Marsh Road, Spalding, have been on strike since September 27 in a row with bosses over pay.

There are said to be more than 700 members of Unite involved in the industrial action — and the union’s general secretary Sharon Graham will visit them today (Wednesday).

She said: “Bakkavor is a classic example of a company that can fully afford to pay its workers fairly but is choosing not to. This is simply about greed not need.

“The company should be in no doubt that the union’s laser like focus on the jobs, pay and conditions of members means that Unite’s support for the workforce is unconditional.”

Unite says the workforce earn just above the minimum wage while producing meals, soups, dips, salads, desserts, pizzas and breads for the customers including Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

It says its workers are required to operate for long shifts in cold temperatures — and staff have previously rejected a pay offer of six per cent.

Next week, workers are planning a protest march to step up their opposition to Bakkavor bosses.

The firm has said that it has put a ‘good deal’ on the table and expressed its disappointment with the strike. Its last offer was said to have been an increase of 7.8% to its lowest paid colleagues and 6.4% across all other grades.

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