Warburtons’ staff are set to strike following a row between employees and bosses over pay.
According to The Bolton News, the plant bakery’s 300 staff from its Hereford Street and Britannia Way sites are preparing to take part in a consultative ballot, taking place between 23 July and 3 August, over potential strike action.
Warburtons’ bosses proposed a 2% pay offer to staff, which it refused to move on, and around 95% of employees have rejected the said action.
Ian Hodson, national president of the Bakers Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU), said: “We have met the company today, and they have said the offer can only be improved if we accept changes to terms and conditions, which we feel is unfair.
“Our members feel they have already paid a high price through plant closures and redundancies and after the closure of the final salary (pension) scheme.”
One unnamed Bolton employee, said: “This is a company with a £550m turnover. They gave £4.7m in bonuses between 17 directors, but our last pay rise was 16 months ago. The union feels that is unsatisfactory and I think it is an insult.
“It is just sheer greed by the company. It is supposed to be a family firm, but people’s wages are being eroded by inflation.”
A Warburtons spokesman said: “As a major business in the region and with a proud track record as a good employer, we are always willing to have an open dialogue with our employees and their representatives. We believe that after four months of negotiations and in the context of a highly competitive market, our proposal to offer a basic pay rise, along with modest improvements in other areas to fund a further increase, is both fair and reasonable.
“Warburtons is committed to continued negotiation with the BFAWU to determine how the current offer can be improved.”
No comments yet