UK firm 2 Sisters Food Group is adamant possible industrial action at its Solway Foods sandwich plant will not affect supplies to its customers.
The Bakers, Food & Allied Workers Union (BFAW) told just-food today (4 March) its members may take part in a two-week overtime ban, scheduled to begin on 17 March, in a dispute over pay. Staff are being balloted.
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A spokesperson for 2 Sisters said the company was “disappointed” a vote had been called at the facility, which makes own-label sandwiches for customers including Tesco and coffee shop chain Costa.
The spokesperson insisted the industrial action would not have an impact on its customers. “Supply to our customers will not be affected as a result of any ban,” the spokesperson said.
The BFAW union said the disagreement dates back to 2012 when 2 Sisters claimed no staff members would receive a pay rise. Union representative Tony Lewis said members later found out a 2% rise had been handed to management. As a result, a two-week overtime ban is schedule to begin on 17 March, pending the outcome of the ballot.
The 2 Sisters spokeperson said the company faced pressure on costs but refused to comment on the management’s pay rise at the Solway plant.
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By GlobalData“2 Sisters Food Group operates in a highly competitive environment and as a major supplier to all of the UK’s leading retailers, we continually need to ensure that we deliver the highest quality at the lowest cost, particularly with trading conditions remaining challenging at this time and with high food inflation, due to higher commodity costs for the ingredients we buy to make our products,” the spokesperson said.
The company said it is “essential” that for the group to “prosper and grow” over the coming years that it ensure its costs are sustainable in the future.
In January, the Corby-based Solway facility in question took on 100 employees as a result of securing new business through existing customers. The facility now employs around 1,300 staff. New business in the last 12 months has allowed the facility to increase production volumes by around 6%, it said earlier this year.
