Strike action due to start today (24 September) at Hovis’ Avonmouth site has been suspended.
Around 60 Unite members were due to walk out in protest over a 3% salary increase which union Unite had described as a ‘real terms pay cut’. In addition, workers were seeking additional benefits – including a commission of two pence per product for all items sold and a premium holiday pay rate under certain circumstances – which Unite said had been offered to workers at Hovis’ Belfast depot.
The union had also 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. However, Hovis Bakeries had assured that plans were in place to minimise any impact on retailer customers, noting that it didn’t “anticipate there being any significant or lasting shortages as a result of the action”.
However, following late night negotiations the industrial action has been paused to allow workers to vote on a new pay offer. The terms of this offer have not been revealed.
“After fresh negotiations, we have decided to pause industrial action to allow members to have their say on a new offer from Hovis,” said Unite regional officer John Sweeney.
A spokesperson for Hovis Bakeries added: “Following a day of constructive discussion yesterday, we are pleased that union representatives at Avonmouth bakery have agreed to suspend industrial action while colleagues vote on a new offer.
“We would like to thank the Unite team for their willingness to work constructively with us to reach this stage.”
Hovis Bakeries was formed earlier this year as the result of a merger between Kingsmill owner Allied Bakeries and Hovis.
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