Strike action at Burton’s Foods now less likely
Organising regional secretary Geoff Atkinson told FoodManufacture.co.uk this morning that, following talks with the firm, the BFAWU would recommend an improved pay offer to members.
The Devonshire Road site produces brands such as Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels, but union members at the site were unhappy with a 1.8% pay offer.
Atkinson said: “The union is happy with the offer. We believe it’s as fair as we can get from the company.”
He added that the BFAWU was briefing Burton’s staff on the revised offer prior to balloting them on it, but was unable to disclose any of its terms.
Industrial action suspended
A Burton’s Foods spokesman said: “Burton’s Foods has been working with BFAWU representatives to constructively agree a settlement package for its Blackpool employees.
“Having met with Union representatives yesterday (Tuesday, July 26), a revised pay package offer has been presented, which will be voted on by Union members in the coming days."
The spokesman added that Burton’s feltthe revised package offer was a “fair and reasonable settlement,” and that union representatives had suggested they would be recommending to members that they vote in favour of it.
“As a result of collaborative discussions with the Union, all proposed strikes and other industrial action has been suspended and production at the site continues as usual,” he added.
The first stoppage scheduled for July 12 was called off at the eleventh hour, after Burton’s challenged the validity of the original strike action ballot.
175 out of 202 workers at the site balloted by the union on June 20 voted in favour of industrial action, after rejecting Burton’s original pay offer.
