Workers employed by Encirc at its Avonmouth site have secured a 4.4% pay increase backdated to January 2025, as well as 1% pension contribution increase which is also backdated to the start of the year.
Meanwhile, the redundancy and sickness policies have been bolstered and overtime rates improved, with double time paid in future from 19:00 on Friday until 07:00 Monday.
Strikes began in June and continued into early July after members overwhelmingly voted in favour of industrial action after Encirc offered its workers a 3.2% pay rise without negotiating with recognised union Unite.
Encirc initially described the decision to strike as disappointing but then returned with an improved offer.
“This is an excellent result for our members at Encirc, who by being prepared to take strike action have secured far better pay and conditions,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham.
“This result shows how Unite’s laser like focus on jobs, pay and conditions delivers for our members.”
Unite also pointed out that Encirc has dropped its attempt to implement a policy stating that it would not increase pay above the CPIH rate from each year’s October rate, which the union said undermined its ability to negotiate on behalf of its members.
“This was a vitally important dispute as not only have members secured an improved pay deal but ensured they can continue to fully negotiate in future,” added Unite regional officer John Sweeney.
“The simple message from this dispute is that if workers want better pay and conditions they should join Unite and make sure their colleagues sign up as well.”
Finally, an Encirc spokesperson commented: “We are pleased a settlement has been reached. Throughout the short period of industrial action, our contingency plans ensured there was no interruption to our production or supply chain demands.”
In other union news, more than 1,800 staff at Bidfood are set to vote on whether the company must allow GMB and Unite to negotiate on pay, terms and conditions.
GMB and Unite were recognised trade unions for Bidfood for more than 30 years, but the firm removed the recognition deal in January 2025.
However, following a decision by the Central Arbitration Committee the workers will have a chance to support the unions’ joint application for recognition.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “Bidfood bosses didn’t think these hard-working colleagues deserved a say on who and how they are represented at work - a basic right in any democracy.
“Now the workers have taken matters back into their own hands and organised enough support to win a legally binding ballot on recognition.”
In response, a Bidfood spokesperson said that the firm was waiting for confirmation on the next steps from the Central Arbitration Committee.
“Bidfood ended the voluntary collective bargaining unit (CBU) in January because we had found that in recent years that it was not reflective or representative of the interests of the majority of our employees working in our transport or warehouse teams,” the spokesperson continued.
“We have not seen any further evidence that changes our view on this.”
The spokesperson added that Bidfood respected the rights of its employees to choose whether they want to be represented by a union.
“Regardless of the outcome, we remain committed to open, honest and direct communication and to ensuring our people’s voices are heard,” noted the spokesperson.
