Last-ditch challenge scuppers Burton’s strike
Strike action was due to begin today (July 12) at the Devonshire Road site, with further action planned on July 18, July 20 and July 26.
But BFAWU regional organiser Geoff Atkinson told FoodManufacture.co.uk that, during an 11.30am meeting with the company yesterday, he learnt that it was challenging the outcome of the ballot.
On June 20, 175 out of 202 workers at the Devonshire Road site balloted by the union voted in favour of industrial action, after rejecting a1.8% pay rise.
Independent scrutineers
The BFAWU's website carries a link to an independent scrutineer's report of the vote, issued by Electoral Reform Services.
The scrutineers said they were satisfied that the ballot met the requirements of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, in regard to issues such as production, distribution, return and handling of papers and lack of interference from union officials.
But Atkinson said that the BFAWU’s lawyers were now examining four points in connection with the ballot, but that all industrial action had been cancelled this week.
In additional to strikes, staff had also planned to ‘work to rule’ (whereby they merely fulfil their contractual terms of employment) and refuse overtime.
By the end of the week the union would either serve the company with a notice for a re-ballot or continue with its plans for strike action next week, Atkinson added.
'Derisory' pay offer
Although Atkinson expressed confidence about the validity of the vote, he added: “If we do have to do a re-ballot then I’m confident we’ll get over 86% support." The level achieved in the original ballot was 86.6%.
“There’s a feeling [amongst members] that people need to get off their knees and challenge what is a derisory pay offer for this year.”
A Burton’s Foods spokesman said the company had been working with the BFAWU to “constructively agree a settlement package for its Blackpool members”.
He added: “Union representatives are currently reviewing the processes and conditions under which the ballot for strike action was undertaken, to determine whether any potential defects in the procedure may have impacted the validity of the final outcome of the vote.
“As such, the proposed strike action has been suspended for the time being and production on site will continue as usual, pending the outcome of the union’s assessment of the balloting process.”
