Members in Bakkavor/Caledonian Produce Vote on Strike Action Over Poverty Pay

GMB Scotland Members in Bakkavor/Caledonian Produce Vote on Strike Action Over Poverty Pay

Workers preparing and packaging fresh food exclusively for the High Street giant Marks and Spencer begin voting today in an official strike ballot over poverty pay at a food manufacturing facility in Bo’ness.

Workers at the Caledonian Produce plant in Bo’ness are being offered a pay increase well below the Scottish Living Wage and just 2 pence above the National Minimum Wage by their employer, the global packaged food company Bakkavor Group, which has revenues of around £1.8 Billion.

GMB Scotland Organiser, David Hume, who has been leading negotiations with the company for months, said:

“This is an official ballot for strike action by GMB Scotland members at Caledonian Produce in Bo’ness working exclusively on preparing fresh food for M&S.

Their employer, Bakkavor, which describes itself as an international player and leader in the fresh prepared food market, has revenues of around £1.8 Billion but are trying to force their staff to accept a derisory 2.25% pay offer, which is below inflation, and at just 2 pence above the legally allowable minimum wage. This isn’t just poor pay, this is poverty pay.

GMB Scotland’s priority is always the defence of our members’ interests and that is why we are recommending a vote for strike and a rejection of a derisory pay offer that doesn’t come close to meeting the rising real cost of living.”

The full industrial action ballot begins today, Monday 13 August, and will run until noon on Monday 3 September. GMB Scotland are recommending members to vote for strike action, and for action short of strike.

At 2.25 per cent this is a below inflation pay offer:

• For staff on Grade SO3 it means an increase worth 64 pence an hour less than the Scottish Living Wage rate of £8.75; and
• For staff on Grade SO4, it means an increase of just 2 pence (0.25%) an hour more than the UK National Minimum Wage for 25 year olds and over of £7.83.

Ends

Contact: GMB Scotland Organiser, David Hume, 07931 796733