Tunnock's staff walk out as pay dispute escalates
Speaking to FoodManufacture.co.uk yesterday morning from the picket line, Tony Devlin, regional organiser at union Unite, said staff were "deeply unhappy" with the way that they had been treated by bosses at the family-owned firm, which is run by Karen Loudon, daughter of md Boyd Tunnock.
Company bosses had been disingenuous in their claim made earlier this week that employees had rejected an improved pay offer, given that no formal offer had been put to staff, said Devlin. "We only got an offer verbally, via ACAS, yesterday, of an unconditional offer of 2%."
A ballot on the new 2% offer would be sent out to Unite members this week with a closing date of October 4, said Devlin.
"Last year, our members accepted an 'austerity-based' pay offer, only to find that the management had paid out the best part of £500,000 in dividends. But this is not just about pay. It's about the way that the company deals with staff in general."
Union members would down tools again next Tuesday, and in the meantime, would work to rule, refusing to do overtime, he said.
A company spokeswoman confirmed that Unite staff were on strike yesterday and would go on strike again on Tuesday, but would not comment further.
