About 1,200 workers at the 2 Sisters Food Group in the West Midlands will be staging the first of three 24-hour strikes tomorrow (Friday, 14 December), after talks broke down.
Unite, the largest union in the UK, predicts that supplies of cut chicken to major supermarkets will be hit in the run-up to Christmas.
The workers, members of Unite, will walk-out at the Bevan Way and Dial Lane sites in Smethwick, West Bromwich and the Lincoln Street plant in Wolverhampton.
Unite regional officer, Des Quinn said: “The talks with the management over a possible settlement broke down and the first of the 24-hour strikes will go ahead as planned 13 December.
“Discussions have made good progress on some of the issues, but we remain deadlocked on pay and seven-day day working. Further discussions are welcomed by Unite, however since a settlement is not within view, the dispute will carry on.
“The plants at Smethwick and Wolverhampton supply cut chicken to many of the country’s major supermarkets and we expect supplies to customers will be hit in the run-up to Christmas.
“Our members voted almost unanimously for strike action over the company’s original paltry pay offer. Our members are struggling on incomes just above national minimum pay levels.
“Unite is ready at any time to resume talks with the company, but management has to put a realistic offer on the table.”
The next strike will be held on Tuesday, 18 December for 24 hours, starting at 6.00am and the third strike is scheduled for Friday, 21 December. There will also be a continuous overtime ban, non-cooperation and work-to-rule from tomorrow (14 December).
The company supplies poultry, fish, chilled, bakery and frozen products to the retail, food service and food manufacturing sectors.
Source: Unite
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