A strike by workers at a Ferrero plant in France has entered its fourth day with production at a standstill.

The plant is in Villers-Ecalle, near Rouen, in Normandy, and makes Nutella chocolate spread and Kinder Bueno chocolate bars.

Industrial action follows the rejection of a pay increase offered by Fererro, which the company had presented during negotiations earlier this week.

An official for the Force Ouvrière union told just-food that workers were blocking entry and exit to the plant.

“Salaries for many staff working at the plant are low and the increase Ferrero is proposing just doesn’t meet our expectations – it’s an injustice,” he said. “Management appears unwilling to conduct serious negotiations and we are ready to continue the strike indefinitely.”

A Ferrero France spokesman said negotiations had resumed earlier on Friday but said he did not know whether they were still continuing or had been adjourned.   

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The Ferrero spokesman said deliveries to retailers were not under threat, with existing stocks being at sufficient levels. He added that Ferrero could also count on supplies from the company’s other production plants in Italy and Germany if necessary.

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