Workers at a Princes Foods factory that supplies fresh orange juice to UK wholesalers and retailers are to walk out in a dispute over pay.
The industrial action at the factory in Wales “could see Bucks Fizz and other festive drinks off the menu”, warned union Unite.
Nearly 200 workers are set to take part in the strike action between 17 and 24 December, after a pay offer agreed between the union and former Princes Food owner Mitsubishi was withdrawn by new owner Newlat.
The previous offer was a rise of between 4% and 7% dependent on salary, whereas Newlat was offering just 3%, Unite said.
Hundreds of other workers at Princes Food factories in Long Sutton, Wisbech, Bradford and Glasgow had also voted for strike action, said Unite.
Princes Food supplies orange juice to wholesalers including Costco, independent retailers, and selected Waitrose stores.
“Newlat need to get back round the negotiating table before its customers discover they won’t have any products on their shelves,” said Unite general secretary Sharon Graham. “Our members work in back-breaking roles on low pay and want a fair slice of the pie.
“Newlat make 20% of all their revenues in the UK and are making money off the backs of these workers,” she continued. “Yet they want to short-change our members. Unite won’t stand for such behaviour and will back our members in any dispute.”
The Grocer has approached Newlat for comment.
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