German trade union NGG has “postponed” industrial action at an Intersnack factory planned to start this evening.
A 24-hour “warning strike” had been due to start at the site in Grevenbroich at 10pm local time today (27 July) amid a dispute over pay.
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NGG announced the action this morning, claiming production would “come to a standstill”.
However, seven hours later, the union put out a brief statement to say the strike was off – for now.
“The start of the warning strike at the Intersnack plant in Grevenbroich-Wevelinghoven, originally scheduled for late Monday evening, has been postponed,” the statement read.
“The associated protest rally planned for Tuesday at 11:00am outside the Intersnack plant has also been called off. The NGG Krefeld-Neuss branch cited ‘tactical reasons’ for the change in strike plans. The NGG will inform the media in good time regarding updated plans for the warning strike.”
Local union official Ina Korte-Grimberg added: “The work stoppage is merely being postponed.”
This morning’s statement pointed to a “frustrating” pay offer from Intersnack consisting of 2% wage hike and one-off payment of €156 ($177.55).
Korte-Grimberg had said employees were instead seeking a 5.8% pay rise or, alternatively, at least €230 more each month.
“What the employers have put on the table so far is already being eaten up by inflation,” she added.
Intersnack had declined to comment when approached by Just Food.
The Grevenbroich plant employs just under 450 people.
Trade association the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) is due to start industry-wide talks on pay next month.
Last week, Intersnack announced plans to take US snacks company Utz Brands private.
In a joint statement issued on 21 July, the companies said the transaction valued Utz at around $2.9bn.
Once the transaction is completed, the family shareholders of New York-listed Utz Brands, the Rice and Lissette families, will hold 50%, with Intersnack owning the balance.
Intersnack is itself a family-owned private company and recorded sales of roughly $5bn last year.
The business operates in 31 countries across Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Its brand portfolio includes Funny-Frisch, Chio, Tyrrells, Whole Earth and Hula Hoops.
