According to the union Unite, the strike action is a result of the Japanese company offering a 5% pay increase which it says is a “substantial real terms pay cut” as the real inflation rate (RPI) is now standing at 14.2%.
The factory, which produces Haywards Pickled Onions, Sarsons Vinegar and Haywards Pickled Vegetables, has already seen 19 days of strike action since October.
The workforce have a further 13 days of strike action scheduled. They were on strike yesterday (Thursday 1 December), today (2 December) and have more planned for Monday 5 until Saturday 10 December and Monday 12 December until Friday 16 December.
Rising costs
Paul Tirebuck, HR Director, Mizkan Euro said: “We can confirm that union members at our Sarson's vinegar facility in Middleton, voted for strike action, however the turnout remains low. Given the daily rising cost of raw materials, transport and energy, as well as the ongoing volatile global climate we have, in the circumstances made a very fair pay offer.”
He added: “We remain committed to constructively resolving this dispute. As we enter the festive season, we do not anticipate any disruption in supply to retailers, other customers or to our consumers.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members at Mizkan have Unite’s complete support and the union will now be escalating this dispute.”
Action
In addition to the industrial action, Unite said it would be looking to step up its action by targeting the company’s customers, suppliers, distributors and warehouses.
The food manufacturing sector has been plagued with a range of strikes due to the inflationary market and the cost-of-living crisis.
Most recently Strike action planned by more than 700 workers at Bakkavor’s factory in Spalding has been suspended following a revised pay offer. There was also 188 worker at Greene King Breweries that were set to strike.
Princes Food Group has agreed a pay deal with workers without the need for industrial action while Fox’s Biscuits strike action was suspended.
