Union Warns of Further Food Shortages Amid Strike Action

A trade union has indicated that additional strike action at a food manufacturing facility might cause existing shop shortages to “develop further”. Unite has confirmed that continuous industrial action will commence on 20 December at Bakkavor’s Spalding location, stemming from a pay dispute. This decision follows a vote where 86% of its members at the site supported industrial action. In mid-November, consumers reported a scarcity of the fish roe dip taramasalata. Unite subsequently stated that more shortages were probable as a result of the strike action at the Spalding facility. Bakkavor, for its part, declared that the sole product currently out of production was a reduced fat sour cream and chive dip. The company also affirmed that its Christmas products “will not be affected by strike action”. Sam Hennessy, a regional officer for Unite, commented that an “overwhelming majority” of the union’s members had cast their votes in favor of renewed industrial action. He added, “We’ve already seen shortages in a number of supermarkets since the dispute has started.” Hennessy continued, “With the Christmas period and peak rush that we’re in, we expect that to develop even further, as a result of the company’s unwillingness to negotiate properly and come to a fair pay deal for its staff.” Donna-Maria Lee, Bakkavor’s chief people officer, expressed gratitude to “the majority” of employees at the Spalding site—specifically 950 members of staff—who are not participating in the strike. Ms. Lee stated, “Bakkavor’s improved pay offer to Spalding colleagues amounts to a 7.8% increase to our lowest paid colleagues, 6.4% across all other grades and a discretionary bonus of £350 per person. We were very disappointed the union recommended its members reject the pay deal – and the rejection caused an impasse.” Ms. Lee further explained that since that point, the company had presented individual offers of increased pay rates and bonuses to all employees at the location. She added, “Already more than 700 colleagues have accepted and welcomed the offer of the new rates – including some strikers who have chosen to end their dispute with the business.” Ms. Lee concluded, “Despite Unite claims, our pay awards at Spalding have been above inflation over the past three years – something we are proud of given very few businesses have been able to achieve this.”