Staff at 2 Sisters Food Group’s Gunstones Bakery in Sheffield are embarking on the second day of a two-day strike today (16 June) amid a pay dispute at the site.
Action came after 2 Sisters allegedly forced through a pay freeze on staff at the site, according to the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union.
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The strikes – involving over 500 staff – began yesterday and staff are expected to strike again on 17 and 18 July after 2 Sisters allegedly refused to renegotiate pay at the factory following a consultation period on redundancies that saw 400 jobs axed. The BFAWU said the company cited “the overall cost of the redundancies as a reason for non-movement on pay”.
Union members had proposed a 4% increase in pay over two years with no back pay. BFAWU claims 2 Sisters refused the proposal and, the union said, “made it clear to BFAWU members and officials that any movement on pay would have to be self-financing, meaning that employees at the site may have to sacrifice existing terms and conditions in order to secure any increase”.
The union added: “The BFAWU sees this as unacceptable and hopes that the company can review its position to avoid potential bitterness, resentment and the possibility of further action at the site.”
A spokesperson for 2 Sisters told just-food: “We are keen to continue meaningful talks with colleagues and their union representatives so that we can reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion. We hoped that industrial action would be avoided whilst talks are ongoing. We are working with our customers and have created contingency plans which will minimise the effects of action.”
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