According to Unite the Union, over 700 of its members at the Bakkavor facility in Spalding have engaged in ongoing industrial action since September 27.
Recently, these members underwent a re-ballot by Unite and “voted overwhelmingly” in favor of continuing their strike indefinitely.
The Spalding site focuses on producing a variety of products, including ready meals, soups, dips, salads, desserts, pizzas, and breads for major retailers such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer, and Waitrose.
Reports indicate that the strike has led to several shortages of dips, and Unite has cautioned that the situation could further deteriorate unless negotiations between Bakkavor and its workforce are achieved.
Furthermore, the trade union contends that workers have experienced a real-term pay decrease of 10.6% over the past three years, advocating for an average pay rise of 81p per hour.
In response, Bakkavor stated in September that it has proposed a 7.8% pay increase for its lowest-paid employees and a 6.4% increase across all other pay grades.
Food Manufacture has sought an updated comment from Bakkavor regarding the ongoing situation.
‘Workers have full backing of Unite’
“If Bakkavor thought they could just hold out a bit longer and our members would go back to work with their tails between their legs they have another thing coming,” asserted Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
“Hundreds of our members voted overwhelmingly for further strike action and they will have the full backing of Unite as they continue their fight for fair pay.”
Additionally, Unite regional officer Sam Hennessey accused Bakkavor of “letting down” the communities that have supported its business.
“This is a dispute of their own making and the people of Spalding know they could resolve it with a stroke of a pen and by paying a fair wage,” Hennessey added.
“Our members are absolutely resolute in their fight, and the vote for further strikes means Bakkavor will continue to let down its customers for the foreseeable future.”
