Strikes that risked 'crisp shortages' suspended

About 100 factory workers were due to walk out at Amcor in a pay dispute

Strikes at a factory that risked causing shortages of crisps and cereals have been called off, a union said.

About 100 workers from Amcor Packaging in Workington, Cumbria, planned to walk out after being offered a "below inflation" 6% pay deal.

But following an improved pay off, Unite said industrial action scheduled for Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday had been suspended.

Staff working in a number of roles, including printing and laminating, were expected to take part in the industrial action.

Unite had 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.

The union had previously warned the strikes could risk causing shortages of Walkers crisps and Kellogg's cereal packages, with regional officer Ryan Armstrong suggesting there could be packaging delays.

Amcor, however, said it did not expect the industrial action to have a "negative impact" on customers' packaging supplies, while Walkers said it was not anticipating shortages and had put contingency plans in place.