Unite the Union makes complaint about Bakkavor in Spalding pay dispute - and calls on M&S customers for help

A union has made a formal complaint about a food manufacturing giant as it ‘ramps up’ a campaign over pay.

Unite the Union has now lodged a complaint to the Ethical Trading Initiative - which ensures compliance with international labour standards in the global supply chains - about Bakkavor.

Members of the union have been forming a picket line outside the firm’s factory in West Marsh Road, Spalding, since September in a fight over pay.

Unite hopes that the complaint will alert members of the ETI - which include major high street supermarkets - to the issues faced by its members and the ‘appalling behaviour’ of Bakkavor.

And it is also targeting customers of Marks & Spencer and other Bakkavor customers in an escalation of the pay campaign.

The union says that Bakkavor management has not engaged in ‘meaningful’ negotiations and have brought in workers from other sites.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Bakkavor's utter unwillingness to negotiate and to attempt to break a lawful strike has left Unite with no choice. Not only are we telling their customers about their unethical behaviour, but we will be targeting any company that continues to do business with them.

“Bakkavor need to understand that Unite is ramping up our campaign to win fair pay for our members."

The union says that Spalding workers are paid just over 10p over minimum wage and that its demands of a pay rise of 81p an hour would amount to 2% of Bakkavor’s profits. Unite says the firm made a profit of £94million last year.

The union has also asked customers to call on the Marks and Spencer board to encourage Bakkavor to return to negotiations.

Ms Graham added: "Major UK supermarkets like M&S claim to care about their workforce and those of their suppliers. Well it is now clear that they cannot continue to pretend it is business as usual with a company like Bakkavor who treats its workers so badly.”

We have approached Bakkavor for comment.