Industrial action at five Princes facilities was launched this month, with Unite the Union accusing new Princes owner Newlat of withdrawing a pay rise offer of between 4% and 7% that was submitted by former parent company Mitsubishi. Newlat has instead offered a 3% pay rise.
The union’s members employed at sites in Bradford, Cardiff, Glasgow, Long Sutton and Wisbech subsequently voted in favour of strike action, which kicked off on 6 January.
With the dispute still unresolved, Princes chair Angelo Mastrolia has issued a statement warning that the current offer could be withdrawn if the strikes persist.
Mastrolia added: “Furthermore, we will be compelled to transfer part of our branded production to other facilities, including those abroad, and if the strike action continues, this will likely become a necessary choice for the future, which could mean a need to reduce jobs at our UK sites. This is a very real risk, which benefits neither the workers nor the company.”
Touching on the current offer, Mastrolia said that a 3% raise was above the current rate of inflation and is “fair and reasonable”.
‘Union busting’
In response, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham accused Princes of union busting.
“If Princes thinks its threats will weaken workers’ resolve it has another thing coming,” Graham said.
“This is appalling behaviour from a shameful company. First it pulled the rug from under our members by reneging on a pay deal and now it is threatening their jobs with these union-busting tactics.”
Meanwhile, Unite national food officer Paul Travers said that the union and its members would be upping their campaign.
“The bullying tactics of Princes and its chairman are disgusting,” Travers added.
“The communities in which it operates and the customers who buy their products should know what sort of company they are - one who goes back on promised pay, spreads lies about their actions and now threatens their jobs by moving overseas.”
It was announced earlier this week that Princes and GMB Union had agreed on the 3% offer, which will be backdated to April 2024.
GMB represents workers at Princes sites in Erith and Belvedere.
