700 Bakkavor workers to strike over pay

This is after staff, which Unite said earn just above the minimum wage, “overwhelmingly”​ rejected a pay rise offered by Bakkavor in May of this year.

The offer was described as 6% by Unite, while Bakkavor has claimed that it proposed an increase of 7.8% to its lowest paid employees and 6.4% across all other grades.

Unite members employed in the Lincolnshire factory work in food preparation and manufacturing roles, producing ready meals, soups, dips, salads, desserts, pizzas and breads for retailers such as Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

According to Bakkavor, around half of the people employed at the Spalding site are members of Unite.

Unite predicts food shortages

Commenting on the decision to trigger strike action, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said that the most recent pay offer from Bakkavor was an “insult”​ to the union’s members.

"Bakkavor has built a highly profitable business on the backs of workers and yet fails to recognise their hard work in incredibly tough working conditions,” ​Graham added.

"Our members are rightly angry after years of below-inflation pay rises. Bakkavor needs to rapidly think again and come back with an improved pay deal."​

Meanwhile, Unite regional officer Sam Hennessy predicted that the upcoming strikes would lead to food shortages in UK supermarkets.

"Bakkavor is stalling and refusing to negotiate constructively and take an approach of 'my way or the highway,” ​Hennessy continued.

"We urge Bakkavor to listen to the concerns of its staff and provide them with an improved and fair pay offer before strike action starts this month.”​

Bakkavor disappointed with Unite decision

In response to the announcement, facility general manager Sadie Woodhouse said Bakkavor was disappointed that Unite had advocated for strike action after the firm had negotiated "​positively"​ and put a "good deal on the table, well above inflation and national living wage".​

“We respect the role that unions play generally in protecting workers’ rights," ​Woodhouse commented.

"However, it makes no sense for a union to call for a strike against a business that is already looking after its people, creating employment in the local community, investing in training and putting forward above-inflation pay rises. We are committed in our backing of the new government’s ambition of creating economic growth through running a successful, sustainable business that contributes to the economy.”​

In the case of strike action going ahead, Bakkavor said it has worked with customers to put contingency plans in place.

In other news, Deliciously Ella has been acquired by Swiss firm the Hero Group for an undisclosed fee.​​