Greencore workers at one of the convenience food maker’s UK plants have voted to strike after rejecting a pay offer. The strike action at Greencore’s Manton Wood factory in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, will start on 11 September and last until 9 October, according to the representative union Unite.
Unite stated that over 500 staff members are involved in the strike following the failure of Greencore to make an improved offer.
Despite ongoing talks since January, Greencore’s final pay offer was rejected by Unite. The Dublin-based company supplies major supermarkets, convenience stores, and foodservice establishments.
The Manton Wood facility is responsible for supplying sandwiches, wraps, and baguettes to the food-to-go channel.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham emphasized that Greencore workers play a vital role in ensuring sandwiches reach supermarket shelves across the country. However, the company, despite substantial profits, has not shared the spoils with its workers. Unite pledges continuous support to their fight for improved pay.
Greencore, on the other hand, expressed its willingness to negotiate and find common ground with Unite. The company believes its final pay offer was both strong and competitive, but it was rejected by union members on a small turnout.
Greencore’s potential industrial action may lead to a shortage of sandwiches on shelves, as the company is a major supplier to supermarkets such as Morrisons, Asda, Aldi, Lidl, Co-Op, and high street retailers like Boots, according to Unite.
Unite Regional Officer Andy Shaw urged Greencore to pay its workers a fair wage given high inflation and prices. The company has the opportunity to avoid the strike by returning to the negotiating table with an improved pay offer.
Financial Performance and Future Outlook
In the second quarter to 31 March, Greencore reported a bottom-line loss of £6.2m ($7.8m), compared to a £1m profit in the previous year. However, the company’s trading update for the third quarter to 30 June did not include profit figures. Revenue rose 1.9% on a reported basis to £495.4, with food-to-go sales up 0.6% at £335.3m and other convenience products climbing 4.7% to £160.1m, according to the company’s financial report issued in May.
