Burton’s Foods staff reject union-backed pay deal
Regional officer Roy Streeter, from the Bakers, Food & Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), told FoodManufacture.co.uk that members (who number around 200) had rejected a 6% pay offer from the company.
“That’s correct, but there is a union branch meeting tomorrow at 3pm where this will be discussed,” he said.
The deal reportedly involves a 3% pay rise for members now and a 3% rise in January. Its earlier endorsement by BFAWU bosses led to strikes being cancelled in July.
The Devonshire Road site produces brands such as Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels, Maryland Cookies and Cadbury Fingers.
Back pay issue
Streeter suggested the rejection might be connected with reports that the company refused to include three months of back pay within the terms of the new deal.
“I’m aware that might be part of it. But you’ll have to speak to [organising regional secretary] Geoff Atkinson about that,” he said.
Atkinson was not available for comment as FoodManufacture.co.uk went to press.
A Burton’s Foods spokesman said: “The company is disappointed by the outcome of the union’s ballot on the revised pay package.
“Burton’s Foods and BFAWU representatives both felt the latest offer was a reasonable compromise and it is unfortunate that union members voted narrowly in favour of rejecting the offer.
“Burton’s Foods remains committed to working collaboratively with union representatives to find a negotiated settlement.”
Fair offer
The rejection of the new deal will come as a blow for BFAWU officers, who welcomed the revised company offer at the end of July.
Atkinson said at the time: “The union is happy with the offer. We believe it’s as fair as we can get from the company.”
175 out of 202 affiliated workers balloted by the BFAWU on June 20 voted in favour of strike action, after rejecting an initial 1.8% settlement.
At the time, BFAWU president Ian Hodson told this publication that Blackpool workers in an economically depressed area were “fed-up with the way they’ve been treated".
