Workers at a Burton’s Foods factory in Blackpool could strike in a pay dispute with the UK biscuit maker.
The UK’s Bakers, Food And Allied Workers Union said staff at the site had voted “overwhelmingly” in favour of industrial action.
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Of the approximately 440 staff at the site, some 202 workers voted, with 175 backing a walkout. Four one-day strikes are planned, the first for next Tuesday (12 July). Further industrial action could be held on 18 July, with a third strike on the 20th and a fourth walkout on the 26th.
Ian Hodson, the union’s national president, said staff at the facility had had their pay frozen last year and had rejected an offer of a pay rise of 1.5%. Hodson claimed the union had put forward a proposal of a “below-inflation” increase, which had been turned down by Burton’s.
“The workers are looking for a reasonable settlement,” he told just-food today.
Burton’s, which makes brands including Wagon Wheels and Jammie Dodgers, said it wanted to hold talks with the union to resolve the situation.
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By GlobalData“The company remains committed to trying to find a negotiated settlement with the BFAWU and its members and will continue to work with the union over the coming weeks to achieve this,” Burton’s said.
Hodson said the two sides are set to meet to discuss the situation on Friday. The union will then hold a separate meeting the following day. “Obviously, our members would prefer to find a solution,” he added.
The dispute at Burton’s Blackpool site follow a four-month row at the company’s facility in Moreton over the future of that plant.
In January, among wider restructuring plans, Burton’s proposed to close the Moreton site, with the loss of 342 jobs. The plan angered the Unite union, which fought a campaign to keep the facility open.
In May, Burton’s announced it would press ahead with plans to end biscuit production at the site. However, Unite convinced Burton’s to keep chocolate refining at the facility, a move the company said would potentially save up to 60 jobs.
