Workers have called off a strike at UK turkey producer Bernard Matthews after the company took legal action to block the move.

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The Unite union has cancelled the strike – due for Thursday (15 November) – after Bernard Matthews threatened to seek an injunction to stop the industrial action.


Over 60% of Bernard Matthews workers had voted in favour of strike action in protest at what local trade union Unite had called “an effective pay cut”.


Bernard Matthews argued that the ballot was “invalid” and the workers had “no grounds” to lawfully call a strike.


A spokesman for Bernard Matthews said the union had recognised the illegality of the strike and called off the plans. The spokesman added: “The company’s management will continue their open and positive engagement with employee representatives.”

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A spokesman for Unite said union representatives are due to meet Bernard Matthews officials later this week to discuss the situation.

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