Planned strike action at KP snacks’ Leicestershire factory will cause only “minimal disruption” to supermarket supplies of crisps and nuts over Christmas, the manufacturer has claimed.
Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive & Allied Workers) opened a formal ballot for its members at KP Snacks’ Ashby-de-la-Zouch site on 1 November, over a pay dispute.
The union last week announced its members at KP Snacks Ashby-de-la-Zouch had voted by nearly 80% in favour of the strike, with action to commence in the week beginning 9 December.
“This overwhelming result clearly demonstrates the strength of feeling among our members and we urge management to immediately come back to the table to negotiate a fair pay deal and avoid disruption to the business in the busy pre-Christmas period,” said Usdaw area organiser Ed Leach.
KP Snacks’ 2024/25 pay negotiations had “so far failed to reach a satisfactory outcome”, added Leach.
Its offer of a 6.5% pay increase failed to “adequately address the narrowing of the gap between the value of the national living wage and the consolidated rates of pay at the site”, he said.
“We regret that the company has flatly refused to increase the offer and we urge them to change their stance.”
A spokeswoman for KP Snacks said: “We are disappointed that we find ourselves in this position and remain open to further discussions.”
The 6.5% pay rise was “very competitive and almost three-times the current rate of inflation, which stands at 2.3%”, she said.
“This offer, combined with last year’s, amounts to a 15% increase across the two years.
“We have robust processes in place across our supply chain and should we end up in the unfortunate position of strike action taking place, we are confident there will be minimal disruption to our customers.”
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