Delivery drivers at Hovis Bakeries’ site in Avonmouth, Bristol are set to strike over a pay dispute in a move which could lead to bread shortages.
Around 60 distribution drivers will walk out from Thursday 24 September in protest over the 3% salary increase they have been offered. Union Unite describes the offer as a ‘real terms pay cut’.
The union added that workers at the firm’s Belfast depot have also been offered additional benefits on top of this, including a commission of two pence per product for all items sold and a holiday premium rate of an additional 50% of the contracted basic hourly rate for those who work over five designated holidays including Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. As such, the Bristol workers are seeking the same benefits.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said Hovis can “more than afford to pay the same rates to its Avonmouth workers”. “Instead of favouring one group, it needs to stop prioritising greed and extend benefits to other workers,” Graham added, noting the workers have the union’s “full support”.
Pay negotiations with the employees at Avonmouth started back in April, noted a spokesperson for Hovis Bakeries who said the business had discussed several possible solutions.
“We’re disappointed that some of our employees are now planning on taking industrial action, especially given the well-publicised economic challenges facing the UK bakery sector as well as the important work that is underway to bring together Allied Bakeries with its recently acquired Hovis business,” a spokesperson for Hovis Bakeries said.
The merger was formalised in July this year after years of struggles for Hovis and Allied Bakeries. Sales of Hovis and Allied’s bread brands, including Kingsmill, have declined while market leader Warburtons and challenger brand Jason’s Sourdough has continued to grow.
“We believe the offer on the table is fair and responsible, amounting to a 3% salary increase for the year. We remain focused on reaching an agreement that works for everyone and negotiations continue with our employees and their union representatives,” the spokesperson added.
Unite has warned that the strike at the site, which supplies shops throughout the South West and into the West Midlands with Hovis lines including bread and other items, could lead to shortages.
“We know shoppers will be concerned to hear of bread shortages, but it is entirely the fault of Hovis who has come up with this half-baked pay offer,” said Unite regional officer John Sweeney.
However, the Hovis Bakeries spokesperson assured customers that “plans are in place to minimise any impact on our retail customers and we don’t anticipate there being any significant or lasting shortages as a result of the action”.
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