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Spalding factory workers 'needed to make a stand'




One of the 494 workers who have voted to walk out of a Spalding factory said they need to make a stand.

Bakkavor workers are now preparing to go on strike over three days in December after pay talks with the firm have broken down.

Workers are asking for a three per cent rise on their hourly rate while Bakkavor has said it has offered three per cent in year total package increase – representing a 1.5 per cent pay increase and 1.5 per cent lump sum.

Bakkavor West Marsh Rd (18966897)
Bakkavor West Marsh Rd (18966897)

Unite the Union says the strike could leave shelves at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S and the Co-op empty of dips such as taramasalata. But the company says it has contingency plans in place.

The worker, who is not being named, said staff felt that going on strike was "the only thing we can do".

He said: "Morale is the lowest I have ever know it .

"Everyone is fed-up with it. They have got families and children and it has got to the stage where we have to take a stand. We have no other choice, they have put us in a corner."

The amount paid for agency workers along with the loss of some shifts is also adding to the frustration felt by Bakkavor staff.

The man said: "We work anti-social shifts. We work weekends, evenings and nights. All we are asking for is a decent pay increase. We want three per cent on our hourly rate."

Unite regional officer Mick Orpin said: "The UK’s leading supermarkets face the prospect of considerable disruption to the supply of popular products like taramasalata over the festive season.

"Between 2014 and 2018 Bakkavor’s profits have increased by a massive £40 million but management have left hard-up workers with no choice except to take strike action to fight for their fair share.”

Bakkavor Foods Ltd is reported to have posted £105 million in pre-tax profits and has a turnover of £1.6 billion.

The Spalding site, which is one of 25 across the UK, produces dressed salads, soups, sauces and a selection of creamy dips.

A spokesperson for Bakkavor said the firm has been in ongoing and extensive dialogue with employees and workers.

He said: "We believe the pay proposal we have put forward delivers a competitive, above-inflation pay increase for all colleagues.

"Under 30 per cent of all colleagues at the site voted in favour of strike action, and as such we are disappointed that our proposal has been rejected and that a ballot for strike action has been passed.

"As a business, we have detailed contingency plans in place to ensure that we continue to serve our customers and that any disruption is kept to a minimum.

"We would encourage the Union to engage with us to ensure this issue is resolved swiftly in the interests of all employees."

In October, it launched a consultation on the future of 250 jobs at the Bakkavor Salads factory.



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