Over 700 workers at a Bakkavor site in Spalding, Lincolnshire are set to take strike action in protest of what Unite the Union is calling a “derisory pay offer” from food manufacturer Bakkavor.

The site makes and prepares meals, soups, salads, desserts, pizzas and breads for Bakkavor customers, including Tesco, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.

Unite members will reportedly take part in continuous strike action from Friday 27th September.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Bakkavor has built a highly profitable business on the backs of workers and yet fails to recognise their hard work in incredibly tough working conditions. 

“Our members are rightly angry after years of below-inflation pay rises, the most recent offer is an insult. Bakkavor needs to rapidly think again and come back with an improved pay deal.”

Bakkavor expresses disappointment over industrial action

Bakkavor said it was “disappointed” that Unite had “lobbied its members in Spalding for strike action”, despite the business’s proposed increase of 7.8% to its lowest paid colleagues and 6.4% across other grades.

It also highlighted that negotiations had been concluded across its other 20 UK sites.

Sadie Woodhouse, general manager at Bakkavor Spalding, commented: “We are clearly disappointed that the Union has advocated strike action despite our efforts to positively negotiate with them and us putting a good deal on the table, well above inflation and national living wage. 

“We respect the role that unions play generally in protecting workers’ rights. However, it makes no sense for a union to call for a strike against a business that is already looking after its people, creating employment in the local community, investing in training and putting forward above-inflation pay rises. We are committed in our backing of the new Government’s ambition of creating economic growth through running a successful, sustainable business that contributes to the economy.”

Bakkavor stated that around half of its colleagues at the Spalding site are members of the Union, and said that should industrial action go ahead, Bakkavor has “worked with customers and put detailed contingency plans in place”.