Greencore and union in talks over pay and conditions deal at Northampton factory
On Friday, 17 June, 248 out of 400 union members that responded to the ballot at Moulton Park rejected the company's proposed offer.
The company was proposing new pay rates, to transfer existing staff onto a new contracts, which it implemented in 2020, with changes to employees’ terms and conditions, as well as removing double time pay on Sundays.
The Moulton Park site in Northampton produces a range of sandwiches and sushi products. Greencore said that there are a total of 1,600 employees at the site.
Compromise
Nicolae Macari, who is the branch secretary at the union at Greencore, Moulton Park, said that there are a number of scheduled meetings in place starting from July where hopefully they can 'join in the middle.'
Macari said: “We are looking to sit down and find a compromise and hope it will work out.
“I have received a meeting schedule to sit down and have a chat but we don’t know what conversations we will have.
“The problem with the new contracts is that is giving extra flexibility to the company and less to the employees.”
Negotiations
A spokesperson at Greencore said: “We continue to be in negotiations with the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union. Consistent with normal negotiations of this nature, Greencore, and we hope the union, will work towards a constructive outcome.”
Last year, Greencore revealed that it was to recruit 5,000 staff from March to July and invest in automation to rebound swiftly from COVID-19, aided by plant-based NPD. Proposals to expand Greencore’s site in Kiveton, Rotherham last year was expected to lead to the creation of 276 new full-time roles across the factory.
In May, Greencore appointed Dalton Philips as chief executive and executive director to replace Patrick Coveney.
The company is also at the forefront of the sustainability agenda and the aim to hit net zero carbon emissions.
