Strikes 'risk cereal and crisp shortages' - union

Workers at Amcor Packaging in Workington are planning five days of strike action

Strikes by factory workers risk causing shortages of Walkers crisps and Kellogg's cereal packages, a union has warned.

About 100 workers from Amcor Packaging in Workington, Cumbria, will walk out after being offered a 6% pay increase.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said it was the second year in a row workers at the factory had received a below-inflation pay rise.

Amcor Packaging said it did not expect the strike to have a "negative impact" on it's customers' packaging supplies.

Amcor makes flexible packaging for the food industry, such as crisp packets.

Ryan Armstrong, Unite regional officer, said: "Kellogg’s and Walkers will not be happy they are facing packaging delays that could result in shortages for consumers.

"This is entirely the fault of Amcor for refusing to put forward a fair deal.

"Strike action can still be avoided but that requires an offer being made that our members can accept."

'Swallow a pay cut'

Staff working in a number of different roles, including printing and laminating, will take industrial action.

They plan to carry out 24-hour strikes on 29 May, 1 June, 3 June, 5 June and 9 June.

Unite argued that the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation stood at 9.1% at the time the pay rise was due to be implemented. It also said workers had received a pay increase 6% lower than the RPI last year.

"Amcor cannot expect its workers to swallow a real terms pay cut for the second year in a row. It can fully afford to put forward a fair pay offer," Ms Graham said.

A spokesperson for Amcor said: "Meetings with the union representatives are ongoing, and the aim of the company is to reach an agreement that benefits our employees whilst maintaining the competitiveness of the site.

"During this period, we will continue to focus on safe working practices for our employees, and providing uninterrupted service to our customers."

Meanwhile Walkers said it was not anticipating any shortages.

"Our packaging supplier has made us aware of this industrial action and we have put contingency plans in place," a spokesperson said.