The strike at United Biscuit’s (UB) Jacob’s factory in Liverpool has been suspended to allow time for talks to resolve the dispute around sick pay.
Workers union GMB, which represents 800 Jacob’s employees, said that the strike that would have taken place over another four days between now and 14 December had been suspended to allow a fresh start of discussions.
Employers took part in two strike days at the Aintree, Liverpool site in November this year after they voted 84% in favour of action.
According to UB, the dispute regards the introduction of a modernised absence management system, and changes to a two-week Christmas shut-down, which was agreed in principle with GMB representatives in May of this year.
Suart Fegan, GMB national officer for the food manufacturing industry, said: “GMB has agreed to suspend the strike action due to take place tomorrow, Wednesday 3 December, and later this month at United Biscuit’s Jacob’s site in Aintree.
“This is to allow fresh start discussions to take place between the GMB and senior management at United Biscuit’s Jacob’s Aintree, which will focus on the long term interests of the site, which are vital, and repairing industrial relations at the site. We will keep our members up to date with the progress of these talks.”
The Aintree factory manufactures Jacob’s Cream Crackers and Club chocolate biscuits.
UB was bought last month by international biscuit manufacturer Yildiz Holding, after a long stint of rumours involving other possible buyers, and the possibility that the company would instead float on the stock exchange.
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