Strike could lead to gaps on shelves, warns union

Bakkavor said it had "detailed contingency plans in place" for if the industrial action went ahead

Strike action at a food manufacturing firm could lead to supermarket shortages, according to a trade union.

Unite confirmed that more than 700 workers at the Bakkavor site in Spalding, Lincolnshire, would strike "continuously" from 27 September over "low pay".

Bakkavor produces food including soup, dips, salads, desserts and meals for customers including Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose.

The company said it remained hopeful the strike action would be called off as it had "already put a good pay offer forward".

Offer 'overwhelmingly rejected'

Bakkavor said it was disappointed that Unite had "lobbied" members at the factory over the strike action after the company proposed a pay rise of 7.8% for the lowest-paid workers, and 6.4% across all other grades.

"This is even more disappointing given that negotiations have been successfully concluded across its other 20 UK sites," Bakkavor said.

But Unite said the pay offer was "overwhelmingly rejected" by staff, who spent "long shifts working in near-freezing temperatures, doing repetitive and demanding work".

Bakkavor described its proposed entry rates as "highly competitive" and "well-ahead of inflation and the National Living Wage", which is £11.44 an hour.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Bakkavor has built a highly profitable business on the backs of workers and yet fails to recognise their hard work in incredibly tough working conditions.

"Our members are rightly angry after years of below-inflation pay rises. The most recent offer is an insult.

"Bakkavor needs to rapidly think again and come back with an improved pay deal."

'Makes no sense'

Sadie Woodhouse, general manager at Bakkavor Spalding, said: "We are clearly disappointed that the union has advocated strike action despite our efforts to positively negotiate with them, and us putting a good deal on the table, well above inflation and the National Living Wage.

"We respect the role that unions play generally in protecting workers’ rights. However, it makes no sense for a union to call for a strike against a business that is already looking after its people, creating employment in the local community, investing in training and putting forward above-inflation pay rises."

Ms Woodhouse added that Bakkavor was committed to running a "successful, sustainable business that contributes to the economy".

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