Unite says 700 workers at Spalding’s Bakkavor site will strike over ‘poverty pay’ affecting Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and M&S branded goods

A total of 700 factory workers will come out to protest the “poverty wage”.

Union leaders at Unite have announced that staff at Bakkavor’s production line at the West Marsh Road site in Spalding will strike from November 1-9 – but warned further industrial action could follow.

The union says staff, who make own-brand soups, sauces and charcuterie products for large supermarkets, earn just a penny above the national minimum wage, rejected an offer for a £6 wage, 5% and requires an increase to reflect the rising cost of living.

Unite said Bakkavor announced that its 2021 adjusted operating profit rose 22% to £102m earlier this year.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bakkavor is a hugely profitable company, but they are happy to cut workers’ wages during one of the worst economic crises in living memory. Our members are rightly angry that their employer, who can and should pay, refuses to give them a fair share of the pie. We will support our members 100% as they strike for a fair wage increase. »

earlier today Bakkavor confirmed the strike and said he was “very disappointed” that the dispute had not been resolved before reaching this stage.

The strikes would affect own brand food products from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Marks and Spencer.

Unite regional manager Ravinder Assi said: “The company’s refusal to provide a reasonable offer despite its monster profits should be a wake-up call for Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and M&S. Quite frankly, they should be ashamed that the workers who make products bearing their brands are treated so disgracefully. Bakkavor needs to come up with an offer that our members can accept and supermarkets should pressure the company to do so.