GMB Scotland Media Calling Notice - Bakkavor Strike Action
GMB Scotland Media Calling Notice - Bakkavor Strike Action
Where: Bakkavor, Carriden Industrial Estate, Bo’ness, EH51 9LG
When: 00.01 hours Wednesday 17 April 2019
Midnight Strike At Bo’ness Food Manufacturing Giant Over Poverty Pay
GMB Scotland members at food manufacturing giant Bakkavor will start the first in a series of twenty-four hour strike actions at midnight against their employer’s ‘poverty pay’ offer.
Hundreds of night shift workers will walk off the production lines at the Bridgeness and Carriden sites in Bo’ness, impacting the supply of fresh food produce for Bakkavor’s major client M&S.
Staff and management have been in dispute for months over a derisory 2.27 per cent pay offer for hourly paid workers, leaving the majority of production operatives currently on the National Minimum Wage of £8.21 an hour - 79 pence less than the recognised Living Wage of £9.00 an hour.
The strike coincides with deteriorating industrial relations amid concerns raised by staff of management intimidation and union-busting tactics within the two manufacturing sites.
A complete overtime ban has been in place since Friday 12th April, with further twenty-four stoppages scheduled for 22.00 hours on the 24th and 28th of April, and the 6th of May.
GMB Scotland Organiser Christina Lambie said: “Bakkavor’s refusal to negotiate a decent pay offer means the sites in Bo’ness are the epitome of poverty pay employment - it is a disgrace this company has marooned the majority of staff on the absolute hourly minimum.
“The strike will affect the production and distribution of fresh food to M&S shops across the country but that lucrative contract and the profits it generates for this food manufacturing giant, which boasts global revenues of £1.85 billion, demonstrate why the Bo’ness staff deserve better.
“Make no mistake that it is not an easy decision for our members to forego their pay and take strike action but they have been left with little choice by an employer who has consistently failed to recognise their desire for a decent pay offer that tackles the basic cost of living.
“This dispute strikes at the very heart of the debate surrounding in-work poverty and fair work. This first action will put the ball back in the court of the employer to come back with an improved offer that can meet our members’ very modest aspirations for the future of their pay and conditions.”
ENDS
Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser Christina Lambie on 07775 571564 (who will be on the picket lines from midnight) or Peter Welsh, GMB Scotland Communications, on 07976 447077.
