Cadbury workers to get 17.5% pay boost, says Unite

Workers at three sites voted in favour of the deal

Workers at chocolate giant Cadbury have secured a pay deal worth up to 17.5% over the next two years.

More than 1,000 employees will receive the uplift as well as a 25% pay rise in holiday pay, Unite said.

Up to 80% of workers at Bournville in Birmingham, Chirk in Wales and Marlebrook in Hereford voted in favour of the deal.

The union said the deal set the standard for food manufacturing companies.

"Where employers can clearly afford to raise pay, we are determined to ensure that they do," Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said.

Cadbury owner Mondelez International said the deal included a bonuses package.

In a statement, it said: "We are pleased to have reached a two-year agreement with Unite for our UK chocolate manufacturing colleagues. T

"This agreement represents an improved overall package including not only base pay but other elements which enable us to both recognise our colleagues' important contributions but also remain competitive in our manufacturing operations."