Workers at Encirc’s Avonmouth site have successfully secured a 4.4% pay increase retroactively effective from January 2025. In addition, employees will benefit from a 1% pension contribution increase, also backdated to the beginning of the year.
Furthermore, the company has enhanced its redundancy and sickness policies, as well as improved overtime rates. Starting from 19:00 on Friday and lasting until 07:00 Monday, workers will now receive double time for their hours worked.
Strikes commenced in June and persisted into early July after members overwhelmingly supported industrial action, prompted by Encirc’s initial offer of a 3.2% pay raise without consulting the recognized union, Unite.
Initially, Encirc deemed the strike action disappointing; however, they subsequently returned with an improved offer aimed at resolving the dispute.
“This is an excellent result for our members at Encirc, who by being prepared to take strike action have secured far better pay and conditions,” stated Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham.
“This result demonstrates how Unite’s focused efforts on jobs, pay, and conditions deliver for our members.”
Unite also highlighted that Encirc has abandoned its effort to implement a policy that would cap pay increases at the CPIH rate from each October, which the union argued undermined its capacity to negotiate effectively on behalf of its members.
“This dispute has been vitally important; it not only secured an improved pay deal but also reaffirmed our right to negotiate in the future,” added Unite Regional Officer John Sweeney.
“The clear message from this dispute is that if workers desire better pay and conditions, they should join Unite and encourage their colleagues to sign up as well.”
Food Manufacture has reached out to Encirc for their comments on these developments.
In related union news, over 1,800 employees at Bidfood are set to vote on whether the company should allow GMB and Unite to negotiate over pay, terms, and conditions.
Having recognized GMB and Unite for over 30 years, Bidfood removed the recognition deal in January 2025.
However, following a ruling by the Central Arbitration Committee, employees will soon have the opportunity to support the unions’ joint application for recognition.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, remarked: “Bidfood bosses didn’t think these hard-working colleagues deserved a say on who and how they are represented at work—a basic right in any democracy.”
“Now, the workers have taken matters into their own hands and organized enough support to initiate a legally binding ballot on recognition.”
